A possible drunken driver suffered life-threatening burns when his sedan plowed into a tree on a rain-drenched roadway in Menifee and caught fire, leaving him trapped in the burning car until good Samaritans pulled him to safety, authorities said Monday.
The crash happened just after midnight Sunday at the intersection of McCall Boulevard and Menifee Road, according to the Menifee Police Department.
Agency spokesman Chase Coburn said the driver, identified only as a 20-year-old Menifee man, was traveling at an unconfirmed speed westbound on McCall, where moderate to heavy rain had been falling, when his BMW veered into the center divider, jumped it and crossed over into opposing traffic lanes before slamming into a tree.
“The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire,” Coburn said.
No other vehicles were involved.
He said unidentified witnesses managed to pull the victim out of the burning car and place him on the roadside, where Riverside County Fire Department paramedics rendered aid.
The young man was taken to a regional burn center for treatment of significant injuries. Coburn said the victim was in stable condition Monday.
“Investigators believe alcohol may have contributed to the collision, along with wet roadway conditions,” the police spokesman said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the police department’s Traffic Unit at 951-723-1500.