teen has been left fighting for his life after a suspected drunk driver allegedly slammed his Porsche into the student’s SUV.

Aidan Poole, 19, was on his way back to Texas Tech on September 7 after dog-sitting for his parents in Amarillo when Thomas Rich allegedly rear-ended him, causing his SUV to go up in flames,  reported.

Rich, a 44-year-old director of Chief Oilfield Technologies LLC, an oil and gas company in Midland, was driving at an ‘excessive rate of speed’ when he collided into Poole’s car, officials said.

The force of pact from the crash made Poole’s car fly into the air before landing and  after the gas tank exploded, according to a

Poole, an honors student who just started his sophomore year at college, survived the incident after he managed to unlock the scolding hot car door, his mother, Kristi Poole, told the outlet.

‘His determination to get out of there. He struggled trying to get the door unlocked. He knew how to keep his eyes closed because there was so much fire.’

Rich, who lives in a $1.2 million home in Midland, has been charged with intoxication assault. He was released on bail Tuesday, according to

The family said more charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Aidan Poole, 19, has been left with severe burns after his car went up in flames when Thomas Rich, 44, slammed his Porsche into the teen’s SUV on September 7 in an alleged drunk driving incident