Suspected DUI Driver Burned In Valley Crash

THERMAL, CA — A 21-year-old Indio man suspected of intoxicated driving suffered severe burns when he crashed his vehicle in Thermal, sheriff's officials said Sunday. The crash occurred at 5:12 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52, said Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt. Angel Ramos.

Initial reports suggest that Jose Garnica was driving a burgundy 2004 Acura southbound on Jefferson Street and approaching a traffic circle when he struck a curb and lost control of the vehicle.

The car tumbled and landed upright between two palm trees and caught fire, Ramos said.

Garnica was able to escape the flaming wreckage but suffered severe, though non-life threatening, burns.

"During the preliminary investigation, Garnica displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol/drugs and was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for treatment," Ramos said.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office is expected to file criminal charges against Garnica for driving under the influence of a controlled substance, according to Ramos.

— By City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone