By Chris Caraveo, Independent Newsmedia

A man reaching for his cup of coffee caused a double rollover in Surprise on Thursday morning, according to a DPS release.

The incident occurred at about 6:20 a.m. April 13 near eastbound US 60 (Grand Avenue) and Deer Valley Road, northwest of Loop 303.

According to Public Information Officer Kameron Lee, two vehicles appeared to have rolled over with a possible ejection of one the occupants.

According to a release, a 27-year-old man took his eyes off the road while reaching for his cup of coffee from the center console. He then slammed his pickup truck into the back of a smaller truck. The force of the impact caused both trucks to roll over.

The at-fault driver told authorities he was headed to work at the time of the crash but first stopped to buy coffee. He drove a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup truck. The man was transported for his injuries to Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear.

The other driver, a 53-year-old man, was was traveling eastbound along US 60 in his 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck when he was rear-ended by the Dodge truck. He was flown by helicopter for his injuries to Honor Health John C. Lincoln North Mountain Medical Center.

The person appeared to be alert and talking after the incident, Officer Lee stated in an email.

Surprise Fire-Medical Department Battalion Chief Julie Moore said the elder man was ejected from his vehicle while the younger adult self-extricated himself.

At about 8:30 a.m. Thursday, DPS tweeted both drivers are alive at the hospital.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, both eastbound lanes reopened as of 9:50 a.m.



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