CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death last week of a man who had been been involved in a fight.

Lt. Corey Paulich identified Brian Edwin Smeltzer, 54, of Clearlake Oaks as the man who died.

Paulich said Smeltzer was involved in a physical altercation with another male on Fourth Street in Clearlake Oaks on Friday, Nov. 9.

He said Smeltzer drove away from the fight and was found dead in his vehicle on Hoover Street in Clearlake Oaks – a distance of about half a mile by vehicle, according to a Google map – the following morning.

“The investigation is pending results of an autopsy that will take place later this week,” Paulich said.

Anyone with information can contact Det. Jerry Pfann at 707-262-4236.

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