A car crashed into a light pole early Sunday morning in Escondido, sending the car up in flames.
The 24-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released.
The passenger, 23-year-old Angel Ramirez of Escondido, was taken to Palomar Medical Center with severe burns. Ramirez died at the hospital, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.
A silver Toyota Corolla smashed into a light pole around 3 a.m. at the intersection of Bear Valley Parkway and Canyon Road, about a half mile from Kit Carson Park. The sedan was fully engulfed in flames when first responders arrived, police said.
Witnesses told officers the car was speeding eastbound on Bear Valley Parkway when it lost control and veered off the road.
“The other vehicle passed them at a speed faster than they were driving, which makes us believe speed might have been a factor at this time,” said Lt. Justin Murphy with the Escondido Police Department. “Alcohol, not sure yet.”
The intersection was expected to be closed for about five hours as police investigated.
