Heroin, Meth Found At Site Of Fiery Yucaipa Crash: Police

YUCAIPA, CA — A Yucaipa man is facing possible criminal charges after crashing this week in town and sparking a small brush fire, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The man, identified as 38-year-old Nicholas Taurick, had to be cut free from the wreckage and was rushed to the hospital with major injuries.

The crash happened around 5 a.m. Monday at Oak Glen Road and Stonewood Drive, according to sheriff's officials.

"Upon arrival, deputies found the collision started a fire in the vehicle and the surrounding brush," the agency said in a news release. "Several citizens were actively fighting the fire using shovels and hand tools. Deputies and citizens continued to fight the fire until fire department personnel arrived and gained control of the fire."

Meanwhile, Taurick was trapped inside the vehicle, officials said.

"Due to the damage to the vehicle, a lengthy extrication by Yucaipa Fire Department personnel was required to rescue Taurick from the car," the sheriff's department said.

Once the driver was freed and the fire was out, sheriff's deputies say they found evidence that the man "was likely under the influence of drugs at the time of the collision."

"Deputies also discovered suspected heroin and suspected methamphetamine inside the car," the sheriff's department said. "The investigation showed Taurick was driving west on Oak Glen Rd at a high rate of speed when he left the roadway and struck a traffic signal pole."

The agency will be sending a criminal case to the District Attorney's office for review and consideration of possible criminal charges, officials said.

Yucaipa Firefighters are On-Scene of a Traffic Collision w/Fire on Oak Glen Rd @ Stonewood in the City of Yucaipa. Extrication in progress. Fire knock down at 1/4 acre. 1 patient w/major injuries. pic.twitter.com/7EsARLIM3m
— CAL FIRE BDU (@CALFIREBDU) September 24, 2018

— Image via San Bernardino County Fire Department