CHP: I-10 collision caused by driver eating burrito

A Mecca woman was eating a burrito when she became distracted and caused an Interstate 10 collision that seriously injured another driver Tuesday, officials said.

"It started because of that distraction," California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Radford told The Desert Sun. "The burrito was all over the place."

Around 7:10 a.m., officials said Lucero Perez of Mecca was driving west near Indian Canyon Drive when she drifted onto rumble strips on the left shoulder. The 19-year-old over-corrected her 2009 Nissan Altima and hit a 2005 Toyota Sequoia in the lane to her right, Radford said.

Afterward, the Nissan hit a 1999 Ford F250 in the third lane, causing the pickup to overturn and land on its right side.

Cal Fire firefighters freed the man by cutting off the pickup's roof. Paramedics rushed him to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs with major injuries, Radford said.

Perez and the Toyota's driver — Redlands resident Eva Uriostequi, 43 — had complaints of pain but did not need to be taken to a hospital.

Uriostequi was able to drive from the scene, but the Ford and Nissan were destroyed.

All lanes were shut down and westbound traffic had to pass through the left shoulder. Traffic was backed up to at least east of Gene Autry Trail, Radford said.

All lanes were open by about 8:50 a.m.