Tarantula on road causes accident involving international tourists in Death Valley

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) — The average tarantula is about five inches long, moves slowly, and poses no danger to people or vehicles.

But when international tourists spotted one crossing the road in Death Valley, they suddenly braked, causing an accident that sent a motorcyclist to the hospital.

The National Park Service said the incident occurred on the afternoon of Oct. 28.

A Swiss couple was driving on CA-190 east of Towne Pass in Death Valley National Park when they saw the fluffy little arachnid crawling across the road. They slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision – and a motorcyclist crashed into the back of their rented motorhome.

The 24-year-old Canadian man on the motorcycle was transported to a hospital in Pahrump by a National Park Service ambulance.

The NPS warns visitors to enter slowly Death Valley National Park, especially on steep hills. Many roads still have gravel patches due to flood damage caused by California’s very wet winter, and there are plenty of critters of all sizes roaming the park.

And yes, if you’re worried about the tarantula, the NPS assures us, “The spider escaped unscathed.”