Feathers were flying and traffic was detoured for several hours early Wednesday morning after a truck hauling poultry crashed in Newtown.

A semi hauling approximately 4,800 live chickens overturned while traveling inbound on Hwy. 70S, losing control and tipping onto its side between Spring Valley Rd. and Robinson Rd.

According to the McMinnville Police Dept., who responded to the call regarding the accident at 4:17 a.m., the truck was being driven by Robert Patterson, 38, of Murfreesboro. He had reportedly picked up his load at the chicken houses near Centertown, and was headed into town on his way to the Tyson Foods processing plant in Shelbyville.

MPD officer Jay Hutchings said Wednesday afternoon the reasons why Patterson was unable to negotiate the left-hand curve heading into Newtown were still unknown. Patterson was taken to Ascension St. Thomas River Park Hospital with what were believed to be minor injuries, but was able to contact his employers before leaving the scene.

The truck was stood upright, and crews worked for several hours Wednesday gathering and reloading chickens from the highway.

Authorities could not speculate how many chickens were killed in the crash.