Rhode Island Road Closed After Truck Spills 20 Tons of Squid

A tractor-trailer carrying approximately 20 tons of squid overturned on a Rhode Island road Sunday, spilling a substantial portion of its load across the intersection and creating a significant odor in the coastal town of Narragansett. The incident, which authorities and locals humorously dubbed the "Squidpocalypse of '26," shut down traffic for over seven hours as crews worked to clear the marine cargo from the roadway.

The crash occurred at approximately 9:27 a.m. on August 16, as the truck was attempting to turn onto Point Judith Road at the intersection with Galilee Escape Road. According to the Narragansett Police Department, the trailer became dislodged from the cab and overturned, spilling squid bound for an out-of-town processing facility. The spill blocked all lanes of traffic, prompting a large response from police, fire, and other authorities.

Under sunny skies with temperatures rising above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the squid began to decay quickly, creating an overpowering smell. Richard Stevens, a Narragansett resident and local fisherman, described the distinctive odor. "Squid has a distinctive odor to it," he said. "It can be very foul-smelling, especially if it...