For Stocktonians who fret they may be overpacking for a holiday trip, don’t worry. This traveler has you beat.
The California Highway Patrol recently pulled over a compact pickup truck carrying more than even Santa’s sleigh would be able to bear. The Honda Ridgeline was piled sky-high with household items, including a Christmas tree topped with a gold star, when it was pulled over on Highway 99 in Madera, about 100 miles south of Stockton.
Officers feared that some of the belongings might go flying like eight tiny reindeer and potentially cause an accident on the highway.
“It is important to always secure your load/cargo and not exceed your vehicle’s load capacity. It can make it difficult and unsafe to operate,” the CHP’s Madera office warned in a social media post. “Flying debris can make motorists take evasive action and potentially be involved in a traffic crash.”
The post attracted more than 100 comments, including those who picked up on the holiday theme.
“The Grinch trying to steal Madera,” wrote one.
“Santa lost his reindeer,” penned another.