Dashcam captures moment driver distracted by rocket crashes on California freeway

Dashboard camera footage has captured the moment a driver caused an accident on a California freeway while distracted by a rocket in the distance.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Friday, leaving a trail of iridescent light in the sky that could be seen as far away as Phoenix.

The incredible scene proved to be an issue for one driver who didn’t notice the cars slowing down ahead.

The footage shows the driver slamming into the vehicle in front, launching it into another car before spinning to a halt.

The driver of the car with the dashcam narrowly avoids the incident, quickly merging before continuing on the freeway.

A distressed female passenger begs the driver, who is seemingly more interested in the rocket than the accident he just witnessed, to pay attention to the road.

The rocket was carrying 10 Iridium satellites into orbit on the 18^th and final launch for SpaceX in 2017.