BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Highway 99 at the Highway 58 westbound connector was closed Wednesday morning due to an overturned big-rig that was hauling a load of live turkeys.

Officer Shane Holtschulte of the California Highway Patrol said a big rig heading westbound on Highway 58 was driving onto the Highway 99 interchange but hit a guardrail and overturned, spilling hundreds of live turkeys onto the road.

Hundreds of turkeys died in the crash while injured turkeys could be seen huddling together.

According to the CHP, the entire load of turkeys will most likely be euthanized.

The roadway was wet at the time of the crash, though the officer said the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The driver and the passenger suffered minor to moderate injuries.

While the crash occurred at 1 a.m., the interchange finally re-opened at 2 p.m.