Driver charged after pickup truck slams into building, bursts into flames

A Lake County man faces a driving under the influence charge after authorities said he drove a pickup truck into a building early Sunday morning, causing the vehicle to burst into flames and seriously injuring himself and his passenger.

Roy R. Montoya-Medina, 23, of Waukegan, also is charged with reckless driving in connection with the fiery crash, which occurred about 3 a.m. in the 37000 block of North Sheridan Road in Beach Park, Lake County sheriff's police said.

According to the sheriff's office, Montoya-Medina was driving a Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on Blanchard Road when it left the roadway, drove through a grassy area and struck the south side of a self-storage building.

Just prior to the arrival of sheriff's deputies, good Samaritans pulled the driver and passenger from the burning vehicle, likely saving their lives, officials said.

Montoya-Medina and his passenger, a 25-year-old Antioch man, were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries, including severe burns, sheriff's police said.

Montoya-Medina is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 24.

Building inspectors were summoned to the scene to determine the building's structural integrity, sheriff's police said.