The registered owner of the truck that heavily damaged Burger Box restaurant told Indio police that his 22-year-old cousin had taken his 2024 Chevy pickup without permission before the crash.
The hit-and-run was reported about 7:22 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at the iconic roadside fast food spot in the 81-000 block of Indio Boulevard.
The truck had “fled the scene” by the time officers arrived, Indio police spokesperson Sgt. Abe Plata said in a press release Tuesday, Aug. 4. Police searched the surrounding area, but were unable to immediately locate the truck.
The crash caused “significant damage” to the front of the restaurant, but no one was inside and no injuries were reported, Plata said. Surveillance video captured a description of the truck, which allowed officers to follow up on leads as they worked to identify the vehicle and driver.
The registered owner, whom officers interviewed, called Indio police after 5 p.m. Sunday and “claimed” his 22-year-old cousin had taken the truck without permission. Officers also processed the pickup, which is now in the owner’s possession.
Indio police has not identified or announced an arrest of the person believed to have been driving. The case remains under investigation.
Burger Box announced Sunday that it would temporarily close while it assesses damage and makes repairs. Video shared by the restaurant showed a large hole in the front wall of Burger Box, with broken glass, concrete and other debris piled inside what appeared to be the kitchen.
“This is heartbreaking for our family and our team, but we’re committed to rebuilding and coming back stronger,” the restaurant said.
In the meantime, BurgerBox launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover unexpected expenses and costs that insurance may not not cover or immediately reimburse during what it called a “long road to reopening.”
Burger Box reopened in 2025 after closing for several months following the sale of its building. Yolanda Ruiz, a longtime employee who had worked at the restaurant for 33 years prior to its closure, had reached an agreement with the new landlord to lease the space and bring Burger Box back to life.
Ruiz’s son told NBC Palm Springs that the family had been preparing to mark one year as Burger Box’s owners.
The roadside restaurant has operated in Indio for more than 70 years and is known for its vintage sign and distinctive canopy — apparently a vestige from the building’s early days as a service station.
Previous reporting by Ani Gasparyan and Paul Albani-Burgio was used in this story.
Jennifer Cortez covers education and breaking news in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Truck owner says cousin took pickup that crashed into Burger Box
Reporting by Jennifer Cortez, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jennifer Cortez, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
