LUCERNE, Calif. – A local man was seriously injured early Friday morning in a wreck in which authorities said he was driving a car that was found to have been stolen, and he subsequently was arrested for driving under the influence.

Jerry L. Thorpe, 47, of Nice sustained major injuries in the solo-vehicle crash, which occurred at 4:40 a.m. Friday, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP said Thorpe was driving a red 1994 Acura Integra westbound on Highway 20, east of Bender Drive in Lucerne, when he lost control of the car, which then traveled off the roadway to the north before hitting a tree.

Thorpe was flown by the REACH 7 air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment, the CHP said.

The CHP said investigators determined that Thorpe’s vehicle was previously reported stolen out of Santa Rosa, and he also was arrested on suspicion of DUI for drugs.

Authorities released Thorpe to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, the CHP said.

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