CHP reports on fatal Thursday crash on Highway 20

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Middletown man died Thursday evening after his van went off Highway 20 and hit a tree.

The California Highway Patrol did not release the name of the 59-year-old south county resident, pending notification of kin.

The CHP said the man, who was traveling alone, was driving a 1992 Ford van eastbound on Highway 20 in the vicinity of Beryl Way west of Clearlake Oaks at an unknown speed at approximately 5:50 p.m.

According to witnesses, the driver passed another vehicle on a blind curve, lost control of his van and slid sideways into a tree, the CHP said.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CHP.

Unsafe speed, unsafe passing and failure to wear a seat belt are factors in the wreck, the CHP said.

The CHP said it is not known at this time if alcohol was a factor.