Drivers sidetracked by damaging debris on U.S. Highway 264

Several vehicles were pulled over onto the shoulder of U.S. Highway 264 Tuesday afternoon, their tires flattened by debris in the road.

Posted 7:05 p.m. Jan 12, 2016 — Updated 11:03 p.m. Jan 12, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. — Several vehicles were pulled over onto the shoulder of U.S. Highway 264 in eastern Wake County on Tuesday afternoon, their tires flattened by debris in the road.

"I was the first one to pull over to the shoulder," Tim Fox said. "Three or four more vehicles pulled over at the ramp."

Driver Chris Smith said the bulk of the damaged cars appeared to be in the area of the exit for Wendell Falls Parkway.

Just before 1 p.m., Shane Hawley came upon what he assumed was the aftermath of an accident.

"Traffic was at a complete standstill, and there were cars parked on either side of the road," he said.

"There were cars littered on the side of the road with flat tires," Hawley said. His vehicle was not damaged.

Greg Williams was not so lucky.

"It sounded like a bomb had hit the car," he said. "I got out, and all I could hear what that hissing sound."

Hawley said he saw what appeared to be "wires shaped like an L" in the road and assumed they were the source of the flat tires.

Frank Jean, who got two flats, said the debris looked like links from a chain.

"You know, a chain link fence, it looks good out in a field or in someone's yard but not in the dadgum highway," he said.

Clarissa Newsome also saw two of her tires flattened. Damaged vehicles included an ambulance, and another ambulance had to be called to transport the patient inside.

Both the Wake County Sheriff's Office and the State Highway Patrol were working in the area to protect vehicles parked on the shoulder as tow trucks worked to clear those, including the ambulance, that were immobilized.

Many had to wait for a tow because they had two or more tires flattened or had no spare to change.

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