West Virginia commuters had a kangaroo-sized surprise on their hands this morning, causing many drivers to arrive at work late, or not at all. The culprit? A rogue kangaroo.
The marsupial was spotted hopping along Highway 19, tying up traffic for miles. According to eyewitnesses, the roo was not interested in making way for traffic, preferring instead to stop and take in the sights along the roadside.
One driver, Nancy Smith, said she was running late for a meeting and couldn’t believe her eyes when the kangaroo hopped onto the road in front of her car. “I was so shocked, I actually thought it might be a deer at first,” she said. “But then it hopped again, and I knew I wasn’t in Kansas anymore.”
The kangaroo, which some have dubbed “Sir Hopsalot,” appeared to be an escapee from a nearby wildlife sanctuary. Sanctuary owners have been notified, but so far have been unable to track down the wayward animal.
Despite the chaos on the roads this morning, not everyone was upset by the kangaroo’s appearance. Some locals are calling for the marsupial to become the new town mascot. One person even suggested they name a beer after the hoppy creature.
While the kangaroo may be a source of entertainment, commuters are being warned to exercise caution and stay alert on the roads. West Virginia State Police spokesperson, Sergeant Bill Knox, reminded drivers that, “Although kangaroos are cute and cuddly-looking, they can still cause a lot of damage if they decide to get up close and personal with your vehicle.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of West Virginia, Jim Justice, has issued a statement calling for calm. “We will not be held hostage by this kangaroo. We will not give in to his hoppy demands. We will continue with our daily routines despite his attempts to disrupt them.”
Some commuters, however, are not taking the kangaroo’s invasion as seriously as the governor suggests. “I mean, come on,” said one driver, who wished to remain anonymous. “This is West Virginia, not Australia. Who needs to worry about kangaroos on their way to work? Personally, I think it’s kind of cool to see exotic wildlife hopping around.”
It remains to be seen how long the kangaroo will remain on the loose, but for now, it seems the marsupial is enjoying his newfound freedom. And as for the commuters? They may be grumbling about their tardiness, but at least they have a good excuse to give their bosses: “Sorry I’m late – I got held up by a kangaroo.”
