Fiery head-on collision in Julian kills 35-year-old man

JULIAN, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A man died and several people were injured in a fiery head-on collision in the mountain town of Julian early Monday morning. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) on Wednesday released the details of the deadly crash. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man who died as 35-year-old Rafael Garcia Rojas Mira, of Julian. CHP reports a Toyota GR-86 heading south on Pine Hills Road collided with a Hyundai Elantra that was heading north and carrying three passengers at 6:54 a.m. According to CHP, the driver of the Toyota, a 24-year-old Hemet man, reportedly veered into oncoming traffic and crashed into the front of the Hyundai, causing the Toyota's engine to burst into flames. Emergency services received an automated traffic collision alert, according to the medical examiner's office, and deployed first responders to the scene. Cal Fire firefighters extinguished the Toyota that was still burning when they arrived. The driver of the Toyota was able to get out of the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames, but was seriously injured. The driver of the Hyundai was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries, and two passengers were hospitalized with major injuries, according to CHP. The third passenger, Garcia Rojas Mira, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Police say drugs and/or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash. The cause and circumstances of the deadly collision are under investigation by CHP.