FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- Between 5,000 and 10,000 nails spread across all lanes of Interstate 5 slowed traffic and caused some flat tires Thursday afternoon, Trooper Curt Boyle of the Washington State Police said.

A pickup truck lost the load of nails around 2:40 p.m. and they fell onto the freeway on southbound I-5 at the 272nd exit in Federal Way. Three right lanes of I-5 were blocked.

The Washington Department of Transportation reported that traffic was backed up two miles to state Route 516.

Fire departments and police crews showed up and used brooms to sweep the nails off the side of the road, where a sweeper truck cleaned them up.

Dozens of drivers stopped to check for punctures and nails in their tires. Some flats were reported, said Boyle.

The pickup stopped briefly and then took off. No description of the pickup is available.