A load of shoes that apparently fell from a vehicle on Highway 99 in Madera caused a brief traffic hazard this morning when people reportedly stopped to pick up a free pair.

California Highway Patrol officers were sent to northbound 99 just north of Avenue 16 when the department received a call at 7:01 a.m. about people darting out on the roadway trying to get the shoes.

When officers arrived less than five minutes later, the road was clear and no one was in the area, officer Scott Jobinger said.

-- Louis Galvan