Bodega man, 63, killed in crash near Petaluma

The man who died Thursday evening in a vehicle crash outside Petaluma has been identified as Frank Holton, 63, of Bodega, authorities said.

Holton died at the scene of the 5:45 p.m. crash on Bodega Avenue when he drove across the oncoming lane and off the opposite side of the road near Skillman Lane, the CHP said.

Authorities said his GMC pickup struck a mailbox, then sheared off a telephone pole before crashing through a fence. No other vehicles or people were involved, the CHP said.

It was not clear what caused Holton to lose control of the pickup, which was traveling around the speed limit of 55 mph, the CHP said.

Alcohol was not believed to be a factor, but has not been ruled out, authorities said.