A man was found severely burned along a road in Marion County Wednesday night, just one day after another man was found burned to death along Interstate-5 nearby.

Wednesday’s burn victim, identified as Augusto Martinez-Escobar, 26, of Salem, was flown in a LifeFlight helicopter to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. Police said he was found on 50th Ave NE near Waconda Rd. NE in Brooks, Ore., just before 9 p.m. They were checking the area for suspects in a reported theft when they found him.

They also found a gas can nearby. Authorities don't know whether it was a crime or accident.

Further details on his condition at the hospital have not yet been released.

Meantime, the man found dead and on fire along I-5 in Marion County early Tuesday morning has been tentatively identified by police, who said they do not believe the cases are related.

Authorities believe Leonard Payton, a transient, is the man who died. But they are still working to compare dental records to officially confirm their findings.

Marion County Deputy District Attorney Doug Hanson said an autopsy found the cause of death was inconclusive.

Initially, investigators said it appeared that the man may have lit the fire himself, while trying to keep warm, and then burned to death after his tent and sleeping bag accidentally caught on fire.