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Northshore man dies in Highway 20 wreck
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Harold Leslie Learned Jr., 73, of Nice.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the wreck occurred at 3:17 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 20 east of Pomo Way.
Learned was driving his 1991 Chevrolet Silverado pickup westbound at an unknown speed, as Tod Syper, a 55-year-old resident of Nice, was driving his 2001 Dodge Ram pickup eastbound at approximately 55 miles per hour, the CHP said.
For reasons the CHP said are yet to be determined, Learned crossed over solid double yellow lines, directly into the path of Syper’s vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision.
Both vehicles came to rest blocking the eastbound lane of Highway 20, front of the Pomo Pumps gas station, the CHP said.
The CHP said traffic control was in effect for a short time, with the assistance of Caltrans.
Following the collision, Learned was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport where he was later pronounced deceased, the CHP reported.
Syper was treated for minor injuries at the scene and declined medical transportation, the CHP said.
Learned’s cause of death is under investigation. The CHP said it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in the collision.
The CHP asks anyone who may have witnessed the collision or observed either vehicle immediately before the collision to contact Officer Ryan Erickson at 707-279-0103.