Police find vehicle suspected of crashing into Burger Box in Indio

Update - 8/4/26

Police said Sunday after 5:00 p.m., the vehicle's registered owner called dispatch, claiming that a 22-year-old male “cousin” had taken his 2024 Chevy pickup without permission.

The vehicle, now in the owner's possession, was processed by officers, and the owner was interviewed.

The case remains under investigation as officers continue to gather information related to the incident.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the restaurant's road to reopening. Click here if you would like to make a donation.

Original - Report 8/2/26

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - A longtime Indio restaurant is dealing with significant damage after a vehicle crashed into Burger Box early Sunday morning.

Owner Anthony Ruiz says he received a call around 7:50 a.m. about the crash. When he arrived, a police officer told him the incident was a hit-and-run, and the driver and vehicle were no longer at the scene.

The restaurant was quickly boarded up as the business began assessing the damage.

The timing is especially difficult for Ruiz and his family. Burger Box was just 10 days away from celebrating its one-year anniversary since reopening.

Ruiz says the crash was a major blow, especially because the business was looking forward to celebrating the milestone.

Burger Box has been part of the Indio community since 1954. Customer Cesar Rodriguez says the restaurant has been a longtime fixture in the Coachella Valley and that he has been coming there for about 40 years.

Rodriguez says seeing the damage is devastating, especially because of the restaurant's history and importance to the community.

Ruiz says the business is working with nearby businesses to gather surveillance video and any other information that could help investigators determine what happened.

Despite the damage, Ruiz says he is focused on moving forward and hopes the restaurant can come back even stronger. He says the incident is an opportunity to make improvements and take the business to the next level.

Ruiz also says he is grateful that no one was hurt in the crash.

The Indio Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department's non-emergency line at 760-391-4051.