Dodge Center, MN (KROC-AM News) - Dozens of hogs had to be euthanized following a truck crash in Dodge County Sunday afternoon.

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says the crash was reported around 4:20 PM on Highway 56 near the intersection with 680th Avenue, which is about halfway between Dodge Center and Hayfield. A news release says Dodge County dispatchers were advised that a semi-truck hauling hogs had rolled over. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a semi-truck and trailer resting on its side in the ditch.

The deputies reported also finding several hogs had been ejected during the rollover and were in the ditch and in the field. The news release says the trailer was loaded with approximately 170 hogs.

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43 of the hogs sustained injuries severe enough that they were euthanized at the scene. 127 other uninjured hogs were transferred into a second trailer that was brought to transport the animals.

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The crash also led to about 8 gallons of diesel fuel spilling onto the highway. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office says the spill was contained and cleaned up by the Hayfield Fire Department.

According to the news release, the driver of the truck was ticketed by the State Patrol for distracted driving. He was identified as 32-year-old Justin McNichols, an employee of Masching Transport. The hogs were being transported for Schwarts Farms.

The Sheriff's Office indicated McNichols was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

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