May 11--NICEVILLE -- The driver of a tractor-trailer carrying a load of beer was seriously injured Saturday morning when a turkey flew into the windshield and caused the truck to crash.

Daniel S. Milby, 32, of DeFuniak Springs, was in critical condition at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola on Saturday night.

Milby was driving south on State Road 285 through the Eglin Air Force Base reservation just north of College Boulevard when the turkey hit his windshield at about 6 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

He lost control and the International truck jackknifed, overturned as it rotated and hit the guardrail on the road's east shoulder, blocking the entire road, troopers said.

A northbound pickup truck driven by 59-year-old Roger L. Bloomfield, also of DeFuniak Springs, drove into the trailer as it was rotating across the road, according to an FHP report. He suffered only minor injuries.

The pickup truck ended up inside the trailer with its rear bumper against the guardrail.

Both men were wearing seatbelts and the accident was not alcohol-related, according to the FHP.

Damage to the beer truck was listed at $70,000. The pickup sustained $7,000 in damage.

Crews from the state Department of Transportation picked up the spilled beer.

It was not known what happened to the turkey.

Daily News Staff Writer Andrew Gant can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 1432.

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