A routine westbound drive on U.S. 285 turned into a tire-shredding headache near the Morrison exit on Wednesday, after boxes of nails and screws tumbled off a semitrailer and scattered across the pavement. The sharp debris punctured tires, stranded several motorists on the shoulder, and slowed traffic on a busy stretch of Jefferson County roadway while troopers and road crews scrambled to clean up the mess and reopen lanes.
The Colorado State Patrol told The Denver Post it fielded more than 50 calls from motorists reporting damaged tires after the boxes were dropped at milepost 247 near the Morrison exit. According to The Denver Post, five drivers stayed on scene with disabled vehicles while crews worked, and the semitrailer’s driver, who was cooperating with investigators, had not been charged as of Wednesday. The Colorado Department of Transportation cleared the roadway, and the state patrol said affected motorists were given the trucking company’s insurance information so they could file claims.
How often this happens and federal rules
Loose cargo on flatbeds is a familiar and unwelcome sight on Colorado roads, and this is not the first time nails have turned travel lanes into a hardware store aisle. In February 2025, thousands of nails spilled onto Voyager and Briargate Parkway, forcing street sweepers to clean the streets, as reported by KOAA. Federal cargo-securement rules require carriers to properly tie down and inspect loads, with performance standards for how secure those tiedowns must be, according to the FMCSA.
What drivers should do and where to report damage
The Colorado State Patrol asked anyone whose vehicle was damaged to call its communications center and reference case number 1a261639. Affected motorists were told to dial 303-239-4501 for assistance, according to The Denver Post. Drivers are advised to take photos of tire and vehicle damage, hold onto repair receipts, and contact their insurance company while preserving any debris that might be useful as evidence for a claim. The state patrol’s public contact information lists 303-239-4501 as its 24-hour communications number for reports on state highways, and callers can use that line to follow up on the case.
Liability and next steps for investigators
If investigators find the load was not properly secured, the trucking company could face civil claims over vehicle damage as well as potential regulatory penalties under federal cargo-securement standards. The inquiry will focus on whether the shipment met the tiedown and inspection requirements set out by the FMCSA and whether any negligence by the driver or carrier contributed to the spill. For now, the route has been cleared, and the Colorado State Patrol is gathering reports and photos from affected drivers while insurance claims move forward.
