Two Lake County men killed in crash near roundabout

Two Lake County men were killed early Saturday when the driver lost control of their car at a Upper Lake roundabout and crashed into a walnut orchard, the CHP said.

The crash occurred at 12:15 a.m. as a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu was heading northbound on Highway 29 into the roundabout at Highway 20, the CHP said.

The car became airborne and landed about 30 yards away on its roof in a walnut orchard north of the roundabout, said Northshore Fire Protection District Capt. Dave Emmel.

No other vehicles were involved.

The two men, the lone occupants in the vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene, Emmel said. The CHP did not release their names but said in a press release that the driver was a 27-year-old Lakeport man and the passenger was a 21-year-old Kelseyville man. Both men were wearing seatbelts, Emmel said.

The CHP said excessive speed appears to be a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation. The CHP said it has not determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.

You can reach Staff Writer Bill Swindell at 521-5223 or bill.swindell@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @BillSwindell.