Tarantula Crossing Road Results in Motorbike Accident in Death Valley National Park

Canadian motorcyclist hospitalized after a Swiss couple's sudden halt to avoid hitting a tarantula in Death Valley, triggering concerns over local wildlife safety.

A tarantula crossing the road in Death Valley National Park caused a road accident when a Swiss couple in a rented camper van abruptly stopped to avoid the spider, resulting in a Canadian motorcyclist rear-ending the van.
The motorcyclist, a 24-year-old man, was hospitalized at Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, his current condition is unknown.
The tarantula, a species most often seen in the fall when mature males leave their burrows in search of a mate, survived the incident and was able to crawl away from the accident site unscathed.
Road conditions in the park remain hazardous due to gravel patches left by recent flood damage; Superintendent Reynolds advised drivers to remain cautious and slow, especially when travelling down steep inclines.
Despite their fearsome reputation due to their size and venom, tarantulas are regarded as slow and non-aggressive. Their bites are comparable to bee stings in terms of pain and are not deadly to humans.