ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV/CNS) - CHP officers are investigating a crash in Escondido that left a driver with burns to about 80 percent of his body Wednesday morning.
The 22-year-old driver, who police believe is a current or former Marine, hit a tree at Bear Valley Pkwy north of Eldorado Dr. at 2:45 a.m.
The vehicle caught fire but emergency crews put out the flames. Neighbors who heard the crash also helped the driver.
CHP officers initially believed the driver was dead inside the vehicle but found him alive when they put out the flames.
The man was taken to UCSD Medical Center with burns and other severe injuries.
The investigation closed Bear Valley Pkwy from Bear Valley Rd. to SR-78 during the morning commute.
