A pickup ended up in Clear Lake on the evening of Wednesday, October 6, 2010, after it and its single occupant went off Highway 20 between Lucerne and Clearlake Oaks, Calif. Photo by Gary McAuley.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A pickup truck went off Highway 20 and into Clear Lake Wednesday evening in a crash that officials indicated may have ended in a fatality.

The single-vehicle crash occurred just before 6:30 p.m. on Highway 20 at Pepperwood Cove, between Lucerne and Clearlake Oaks, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Reports from the scene initially indicated trouble extricating the driver from the pickup, where he was said to be trapped underwater and upside down.

Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Steve Hart said firefighters were able to get the man out using the jaws of life.

Hart said the man – whose name wasn't immediately available for release – was transported by Northshore Fire ambulance to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

It was not clear what the man's condition was late Wednesday.

The CHP had reported a possible fatality and Lake County News received witness reports that cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started on the man at the scene and that he later died.

Firefighters check out a totaled pickup that landed in Clear Lake on October 6, 2010. Photo by Gary McAuley.

However, a CHP officer had reportedly been sent to Sutter Lakeside Hospital to pick up a blood sample from the driver.

Northshore Fire sent two ambulances and four engines, Hart said. Along with CHP, reports from the scene indicated that the Lake County Sheriff's Office also responded.

Fuel from the pickup leaked into the lake, with Northshore Fire bringing in booms to surround it, according to radio reports. The wind was said to have aided bringing the fuel back to shore.

Less than five gallons of fuel got into the lake, Hart said.

Because of the spill, the local Office of Emergency Services and Lake County Environmental Health responded to the scene, Hart said. Fish and Game also was called but did not go to the crash site.

The CHP reported that the tow company was still responding to the scene just after 8 p.m. to remove the totaled pickup. Hart was still on the scene with firefighters shortly before 9:30 p.m., and the roadway was completely opened and cleared by 9:47 p.m., according to the CHP.

A radio report stated the booms were left in the water overnight.

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Northshore Fire firefighters, California Highway Patrol, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Environmental Health and Lake County Office of Emergency Services responded to the single-vehicle crash along Highway 20 in Lake County, Calif. Photo by Gary McAuley.