Screws on Elk Grove Boulevard Cause Flat Tires: Here's How to File a Claim with Caltrans

If you drive through Elk Grove, you might want to check your tires. A batch of screws scattered near the Highway 99 overpass on Elk Grove Boulevard caused a wave of flat tires this week. Driver Justice Rose told reporters she found 27 screws in her tires and needed two replacements. Local tire shops felt the impact too. Chris Brewer, manager at Les Schwab, said repair calls jumped from 20 to 30 flats a day to nearly 60. For one day, the parking lot at America’s Tire was getting full.

Police and city crews inspected the roadway Wednesday morning and said they found nothing, but later that day, Good Samaritan David Irons walked the area with a rolling magnet and collected hundreds of screws. So where did they come from? That’s still unclear. What is clear is that Caltrans maintains the overpass and is accepting damage claims from drivers. If you got a flat or vehicle damage from this debris, you can file a claim directly with Caltrans. You’ll want to gather any receipts, photos of the damage, and details about when and where it happened.

This story is a reminder that road hazards can pop up anywhere, even on roads you drive every day. If you were affected by these screws, or if you’ve had to file a road damage claim before, we’d love to hear your story. What did you do when you realized your tire was toast? Drop a comment below and tell us about it.