Indio Man Slams into Caltrans Vehicle Attempting to Avoid Traffic

INDIO – A 29-year-old Indio man slammed into a plow attached to a Caltrans vehicle on Wednesday afternoon after attempting to avoid slowed traffic on the I-10 Wednesday afternoon. At around 1:20 p.m. a CHP officer conducted a traffic break on the eastbound I-10 to allow a Caltrans pickup truck to turn around on the freeway.

The CHP was assisting Caltrans with road maintenance on the I-10 east, just east of Jefferson Street. The driver of a 2005 Jeep Laredo later identified as Nicholas Latino approached the stopped traffic and drove onto the right shoulder to pass vehicles Caltrans officials said.

The Jeep continued on a short distance before striking a plow attached to the front of the Caltrans pickup truck that was also on the right shoulder. Latino continued driving his vehicle exiting the freeway on Monroe Street until a stop was initiated on Villa Palazzo, west of Monroe Street. He was placed under arrest just after 2:20 p.m. without incident for hit and run, DUI and driving on a suspended license.

No one was injured as a result of the collision.

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