Lower Lake >> Authorities have identified Jerry Verlin Cheesman, 68, as the fatal victim in a car crash Thursday night.
Cheesman, of Middletown, died at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital from injuries he sustained when he apparently lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a treat at about 10:15 p.m. He was driving north on Highway 29 near the intersection of Diener Drive at an undetermined speed, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Officers at the scene could not immediately determine if Cheesman was wearing a seat belt.
No other vehicles were involved, and Cheesman was the sole victim of the incident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by CHP.
Upper Lake man injured in rollover
Approximately 40 minutes before the fatal incident, CHP responded to a one vehicle accident on Elk Mountain Road near Upper Lake. The driver, Derek Killough, 32, suffered lacerations to his head and face after his vehicle tumbled several times.
Killough was wearing a safety belt, but was evaluated for driving under the influence and placed under arrest at the scene under suspicion of drinking alcohol.
Driving north, Killough’s vehicle veered off the west side of the asphalt and crashed through a wire fence. The SUV continued into private property, where it began to roll. He was able to pull himself from the vehicle, despite a report of pain in the shoulder.
After responders treated Killough and officers tested for alcohol, Killough was transported by REACH helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
