**BREAKING: Cherry-pocalypse Strikes Pacific Northwest as Truck Overturns, Blankets Highway in Juicy Red Fruit**
SEATTLE, WA – In a bizarre incident that has left residents and commuters agog, a tractor-trailer carrying a massive load of fresh cherries overturned on a major highway in Washington state, covering the road in a sea of red, juicy goodness.
The accident occurred on Highway 405, near the town of Everett, when the truck, driven by 32-year-old Bubba Jenkins, took a sharp turn too quickly, causing the 18-wheeler to tip over and spew its cargo of over 40,000 pounds of cherries onto the asphalt.
“It was like a cherry explosion,” said eyewitness, Karen Thompson, who was driving to work when she witnessed the crash. “I was covered in cherry juice and pulp. I looked like I had just taken a bath in a vat of cherry pie filling.”
The highway was quickly shut down as emergency responders and cherry enthusiasts alike rushed to the scene to survey the damage and sample the bounty.
“I couldn’t resist,” said Washington State Patrol Trooper, Mark Smith. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to taste a freshly fallen cherry? It was like nature’s candy.”
As crews worked to clean up the mess, they were met with a surprise: the cherries had created a slick, cherry-scented skating rink on the highway.
“It was like a scene from a cartoon,” said Everett Mayor, Chris Harris. “I half expected to see Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote zooming by on skateboards.”
The Washington State Department of Transportation estimated that it would take several days to clean up the mess and repair the highway, but not before residents and visitors alike took to social media to share photos and videos of the cherry-covered road.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said local resident, Emily Chen. “It’s like the whole town is one big cherry-themed party.”
In related news, local cherry farmers are reporting a surge in demand for their products, with many residents eager to taste the freshly fallen fruit.
**UPDATE:** The Washington State Department of Transportation has announced that it will be offering free cherry-themed merchandise to anyone who can provide a photo of themselves slipping on a cherry and falling on the highway.
