A significant incident occurred in Alvord, Texas, where a tractor-trailer carrying $800,000 in dimes overturned, resulting in millions of coins spilling onto the highway. This accident led to the closure of part of the southbound lanes of U.S. 287 for approximately half a day as cleanup crews worked to collect the scattered coins. The cleanup involved manual collection, as well as the use of brooms, shovels, and industrial vacuums.
The accident happened early Tuesday morning when the tractor-trailer veered off the road and overcorrected, causing it to roll onto its side. Both the driver and a passenger were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The highway was reopened later that evening.
The truck is believed to be part of Western Distributing Transportation Corporation’s fleet, a company that handles government cargo in armored vehicles. No comment was provided by the company regarding the incident. The U.S. Mint, responsible for manufacturing legal tender coins in the nation, did not immediately respond to inquiries. Alvord is situated about 80 miles northwest of Dallas.