- A wild pig caused a major traffic jam on a South Carolina interstate last Friday.
- State troopers used farm skills to safely capture the pig and clear the road.
- The incident highlights the growing wild pig population causing problems across the state.
A wild pig caused an unexpected traffic jam on a busy South Carolina interstate last Friday, forcing state troopers into a surprising roadside chase. What began as a routine patrol quickly turned into a memorable encounter when a feral hog wandered right onto the highway, stopping traffic cold and demanding swift action.
Drivers Stuck in Traffic Watch in Amazement
The pig strolled casually across the lanes, completely ignoring the rows of cars piling up behind it. Drivers slammed on their brakes, horns honked in frustration, and some even pulled over, unsure how to deal with this four-legged traffic jam. The hog seemed unbothered by the chaos it created, wandering without a care as motorists looked on in disbelief.
Troopers Team Up to Catch the Runaway Hog
Responding to the unusual scene, Corporal Clifton Nelson and Trooper Matthew Bullard of the South Carolina Highway Patrol arrived swiftly. Nelson later called it โone of the funniest callsโ he had ever answered, while Bullardโwho grew up on a farm wrangling pigsโtook the situation in stride.
A Farmhandโs Skills Save the Day
With traffic backed up and safety at risk, the two officers worked together to corner the pig on the highway. The wild animal darted and dodged, putting up a spirited fight. But Bullardโs farm-honed skills kicked in: he lunged and grabbed one of the pigโs hind legs, bringing the chase to a quick end. The pig struggled, dragging its front legs on the pavement in a last-ditch effort to escape.
Ensuring Safety for Drivers and the Hog
Bullard explained that grabbing the pigโs hind leg was the safest and most effective way to stop it without injury. He also emphasized the urgency: โItโs better than that thing going out there and being hit by a car.โ
Wild Pig Population Grows Across South Carolina
After securing the animal, the troopers led it off the highway, ending the traffic nightmare. The wild hog was handed over to a deputy from the Richland County Sheriffโs Department, who arranged for the animalโs transfer to a relative.
This unusual episode highlights a larger problem South Carolina has faced for years: the growing population of wild pigs. Once a historical curiosity introduced by Spanish explorers centuries ago, these feral hogs have become a significant nuisance. Their numbers have exploded across the state, showing up on roadways, farms, and even suburban neighborhoodsโcausing damage and sometimes dangerous encounters like this highway standoff.
A Traffic Jam with a Difference
For the drivers stuck in the traffic jam last Friday, the spectacle was part frustrating, part amusing. But for the troopers, it was another day on the jobโproving that sometimes law enforcement means keeping both people and wildlife safe, even when the โsuspectโ is a pig on the loose.