Highway Heist of the Tiniest Kind: 8 Million Dimes Blanket Texas Road After Truck Overturns

An 18-wheeler carrying an enormous sum of money in an unusual form has overturned near Alvord High School, littering the highway with a sea of silver.

The vehicle, which was traveling on U.S. 81/Highway 287 around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, was hauling around $800,000 in freshly minted dimes when its driver veered off the road and overcorrected, flipping the rig onto its side.

The crash resulted in an incredible sight—and cleanup—as an estimated 8 million dimes were scattered across the pavement and surrounding grass.

“[The driver] lost control of the 18-wheeler, striking the highway guardrail and overturning. The passenger was able to exit the vehicle, but the driver was pinned inside for a period of time,” DPS said in a statement.

The driver and passenger sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital in stable condition, and no hazardous materials were present at the scene of the crash.

The cleanup efforts, which involved crews scooping, sweeping, and vacuuming up the dimes, lasted for 14 hours. Some helpers were seen arriving with shovels, while others brought street sweepers—and one man even admitted to almost bringing a bucket to collect the 10-cent pieces.

The scene was a sight to behold, with dimes glittering in the morning sun as they rolled across the asphalt and fluttered through the air like miniature snowflakes. Motorists who passed by the crash site couldn't help but slow down and marvel at the incredible display of wealth and misfortune.

The aftermath of the crash also sparked a flurry of activity on social media, with users sharing photos and videos of the dime-covered highway and discussing the best way to collect the coins. Some joked that they were going to bring their children to the scene to teach them the value of saving money, while others expressed sympathy for the truck driver and hoped that he would be okay.

As the sun began to set, the last of the dimes were collected and the highway was cleared for traffic. The scene of the crash had been transformed, leaving no trace of the massive dime spill.

But the story of the highway heist of the tiniest kind would surely live on in local lore for years to come.