the wrong way to inflate a tire

Worked with Arnie back in the USPS in Jersey. Arnie had a 45 mile commute. Always parked next to him. Standing by the time clock one morning I asked him if noticed anything weird on his drive to work. He said it felt like he had a tire out of balance. Told him that is probably the result of what appeared to be a railroad spike hanging out of his tire. The spike didn't penetrate the sidewall, apparently it slid its way in between the belts....Arnie didn't have a spare....it was at home so he drove it back home. Block from his house the spike went the rest of the way thru the sidewall.