MODESTO (CBS13) – A big rig hauling live turkeys overturned on Highway 99 in Modesto early Wednesday morning, closing part of the roadway for several hours.

The truck overturned just after 12:30 a.m. on southbound Highway 99 just south of Standiford Avenue.

The driver of the Foster Farms truck says he swerved to avoid a car, causing the rear trailer of the big rig to overturn, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP says a half-dozen to a dozen turkeys were killed in the crash, but most of them survived.

The road could remain partially closed through 8 a.m. as crews clean up the accident scene.

The driver of the truck was not injured.