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A Los Angeles-area man accused of causing a two-car crash in Escondido that led to him being pulled from his burning car by a police officer, pleaded not guilty Thursday to DUI charges.
Uriel Basurto Sierra, 21, was ordered held on $100,000 bail in connection with the 1:30 a.m. Sunday crash at Broadway and West Valley Parkway. Sierra, of Sylmar, ran a red light while
driving a Nissan Altima northbound on Broadway and struck a westbound Lincoln Navigator, according to Escondido police Lt. Justin Murphy. Both vehicles came to a stop at the southeast corner
near City Hall, and the Nissan caught fire, Murphy said. A police officer was dispatched and spotted an unconscious Sierra inside the burning Nissan and first tried to put out the blaze
with a fire extinguisher, but was unsuccessful. He then got into the burning car and pulled out Sierra, who appeared to have head injuries, Murphy said. The Lincoln’s driver also was trapped
inside following the crash and had to be cut out using the Jaws of Life, Murphy said. The SUV’s passenger apparently was able to get out. All three people were taken to a hospital to be
treated for multiple minor injuries. Sierra will be back in court May 15 for a readiness conference. _– City News Service_