LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities have released the name of the Middletown man who died of his injuries following a single-vehicle wreck last week near Lower Lake.

California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds identified the fatal crash victim as Jerry Verlin Cheesman, 68.

Cheesman was driving a 2005 Buick Le Sabre northbound on Highway 29 north of Diener Drive at an unknown speed shortly after 10 p.m. when he lost control of the car.

The Buick went off the road and hit a tree. The CHP said Cheesman was found outside of the car, but it wasn't clear if he had gotten out on his own or been ejected during the crash.

A REACH air ambulance transported Cheesman to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he died, the CHP said.

Reynolds said the CHP investigation into the fatal crash is continuing.

He said they don't yet know why Cheesman's vehicle went off the roadway, and are waiting for toxicology and autopsy results to rule out a medical condition.

Reynolds said drugs and alcohol are not suspected but have not yet been ruled out due to the pending test results.

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