Police: trucker in fatal bee crash likely not wearing glasses

First responders battle bees that escaped from a semi after a two-car, two-semi accident on Monday May 24, 2010 in Lakeville, Minn. One of the semis was hauling about 7,000 hives housing upward of 17 million bees for Bauer Honey of the northwestern Minnesota town of Fertile. A witness said "the air was thick with bees." (Associated Press/Star Tribune: RICHARD SENNOTT)

The Associated Press

6/10/2010

ST. PAUL, Minn.  — Minnesota State Patrol officials say the driver of a semi that crashed into two cars and another truck carrying millions of bees last month was likely not wearing his required glasses.

The accident killed both car drivers and released swarms of bees on Interstate 35 in Lakeville on May 24.

State Patrol spokesman Lt. Eric Roeske says 36-year-old Jason Styrbicky, of Buffalo, was not wearing glasses or contact lenses when officers arrived at the crash scene, and none were found in his food service truck.

Roeske said Wednesday that Styrbicky told investigators he was reaching for a beverage at the time and temporarily took his eyes off the road. It's not clear if that was a factor in the crash.

Roeske stresses that the investigation is far from complete.

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