Man in Truck Sets Self on Fire in Park

In an apparent suicide attempt, a 40-year-old Huntington Beach man parked his Ford Bronco at Centennial Regional Park on Thursday morning and set his gasoline-soaked body on fire, according to police and witnesses.

After the man was rescued by a city park employee who smashed the Bronco’s windows and called 911, he was brought to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he was listed in critical condition with third-degree burns on his head and hands, said Santa Ana Police Sgt. Bob Clark.

Clark said police did not find a suicide note in the Bronco, but it appeared that the man had dumped about 2 1/2 gallons of gasoline on himself and in the car.

Flames did not engulf the car or victim, Clark said, because the windows were nearly closed and there was not enough oxygen to sustain combustion.

City park employee Francisco Mendoza said he noticed smoke from the car shortly after 10:30 a.m. as he was raking leaves about 25 feet away.

Mendoza broke two car windows with his wooden rake handle, opened the passenger door and called 911.

Mendoza said about 20 men, women and children watched but no one assisted him.

He said he believes he saved the man’s life, but that he received a disturbing look as the man was carried away.

“He looked at me weird, like, Why did you save my life?” Mendoza said.