Young LA man arrested after found unconscious in burning car

ESCONDIDO (CNS) – A 21-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of felony drunken driving in connection with a northern San Diego County traffic crash that left him unconscious in his burning car until a police officer pulled him to safety.

Uriel Basurto Sierra of Sylmar was booked into county jail in Vista early this morning, Escondido police Lt. Neal Griffin said.

About 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Sylmar allegedly ran a red light at Broadway and West Valley Parkway, sending his northbound Nissan Altima crashing into the driver’s side of a Lincoln Navigator traveling through the intersection.

Both vehicles came to rest at the southeast corner of the road crossing, near Escondido City Hall, and the Nissan caught fire.

Moments after arriving in the area, a patrol officer found Sierra slumped unresponsive in his burning sedan and tried to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. When the attempt failed, the lawman got into the car and dragged Sierra out.

Emergency crews had to cut apart the Lincoln to free its driver. A passenger in the SUV was able to get out without help.

All three of people involved in the accident were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Sierra was being held in county jail in Vista on $100,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Thursday afternoon.