A tractor-trailer rests on its side after crash on Highway 101 between Main Street and Alvin Avenue in Santa Maria Wednesday morning. (California Highway Patrol photo)

A tractor-trailer crash on Highway 101 in Santa Maria snarled traffic Wednesday morning, and left a load of red bell peppers on the roadway. 

At approximately 6:20 a.m., Santa Maria firefighters and California Highway Patrol officers responded to the incident on southbound Highway 101 between Main Street and Alvin Avenue.

A semi truck pulling a flatbed trailer ended up on its side, dumping its load of produce.

As crews worked to remove the wreckage, they discovered a hive of bees in a sign pole knocked over due to the crash, prompting a call to a beekeeper for safe removal. 

One lane of traffic in the area was expected to remain closed until early Wednesday afternoon.

The driver reportedly was not injured in the incident.

The crash was under investigation by the CHP. 

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.