Indio Police Officer Injured After Vehicle Strikes Patrol Car, Driver Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

An Indio Police officer is recovering at home after a vehicle crashed into his parked patrol car Sunday night, throwing him to the ground and leaving him with significant leg injuries.

The collision happened around 10:05 PM at the intersection of Monroe Street and Avenue 40. According to the press release, the officer was standing outside his patrol vehicle on the passenger side when a Nissan sedan traveling eastbound on Avenue 40 collided head-on with the parked police car. The impact knocked the patrol vehicle into the officer, throwing him about 30 feet from where he'd been standing.

Nearby residents heard the crash and climbed over their backyard wall to help the injured officer and driver until other Indio Police officers arrived. The officer was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and later released. His K-9 partner, Hoki, was inside the patrol unit during the collision but wasn't injured and has been reunited with his handler.

The 28-year-old female driver of the Nissan remained at the scene and wasn't injured, but officials say she exhibited signs of impairment. The California Highway Patrol responded and took over the investigation. The driver was arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of DUI.

The intersection was closed during the investigation and reopened shortly after midnight. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact the California Highway Patrol - Indio Station at (760) 772-5300.