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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Potatoes are everywhere on a North Carolina road, but these spuds aren't loaded or mashed and ready to eat.
A tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 77 in Charlotte about 2 a.m. Friday, spilling 50,000 pounds of raw potatoes and closing the road for hours.
Troopers say the truck driver told them he fell asleep at the wheel and hit a barrier wall and overturned. He was taken to a hospital with injuries that did not appear to be serious.
Fuel also spilled on the highway, soaking some of the potatoes.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation brought in front-end loaders to scoop up the load that rolled down the road.
One lane of the highway has reopened, but DOT officials said it could be noon before the road is cleared.
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