Stolen Vehicle Erupts Into Flames Upon Impact With Hydrant in Temecula, Driver Arrested

TEMECULA, Calif., Mar. 18 (KNN) — A stolen vehicle involved in a collision with a hydrant erupted into flames overnight, and the driver was ultimately arrested for suspected DUI.

At 12:16 a.m. Monday, Riverside County Fire Department received reports of a vehicle collision with fire at the intersection of Butterfield Stage Road and Calafia Street in the city of Temecula.

First arriving units found one vehicle that had rolled over striking a fire hydrant and was fully involved with fire that spread to nearby vegetation.

One patient was outside of the vehicle before the fire department arrived on scene. The patient was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

According to CHP Officer Mike Lassig, the driver was arrested for suspected DUI and the vehicle involved in the crash was stolen.

Fire crews were unable to stop the flow of water from the broken hydrant and requested Rancho Water to respond to the scene.

CHP is handling the incident investigation.

Eric Lentz, Video Journalist / KNN