CLEARLAKE OAKS – An Arcata man whose pickup went off the highway and into the lake Saturday night died of his injuries.

The 55-year-old man's name has not yet been released by California Highway Patrol.

CHP reported the man was driving his 1986 Toyota pickup southbound on Highway 20 west of Henderson Drive at Clearlake Oaks at 10:20 p.m. Saturday when the accident occurred.

The man was driving at an unknown rate of speed, and the highway was wet due to rain, the CHP reported.

For reasons that aren't known, the man lost control of his vehicle, crossed the eastbound lane of traffic and went down the embankment south of the roadway, according to the CHP. The pickup rolled over and ended up on its roof, partially submerged in the lake.

The driver was trapped in the pickup and rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to extract him, CHP reported.

Rescuers transported the man to Redbud Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The CHP reported the man was not wearing his safety belt.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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