Lynn Strait, the snarling and often irreverent frontman of the modern-metal act Snot, was

killed in a car crash in Los Angeles on Friday, according to his label, Geffen Records. He

was 30.

The singer for Snot, who released their debut LP, Get Some, in 1997, was killed

on southbound Highway 101 in Southern California, between his hometown, Santa

Barbara, and Carpinteria. The crash occurred when his Ford Tempo collided with a truck

as he was exiting the freeway at approximately 1 p.m.

Also killed in the three-car crash was Strait's dog, Dobbs, who appeared on the cover of

the band's album.

"We're devastated. This is a tough one," said Sean Henning, co-manager of Snot, in a

press release issued by Geffen. "His family, friends and fans will miss him. Lynn had a lot

of fans who grew to love him through his music, and hardcore music has lost a great

frontman, singer and songwriter."

Strait's death followed a successful summer for Snot, who toured as part of Ozzfest

along with metal legend and festival founder Ozzy Osbourne, fellow heavy-rock act Tool

and the Melvins and newcomers Limp Bizkit, Soulfly and Sevendust.

The hugely successful tour was marred only by Strait's arrest on a felony charge of open

and gross lewd and lascivious behavior after a July 9 incident at Great Woods in

Mansfield, Mass. Strait allegedly exposed himself onstage and was subsequently

fellated by a dominatrix, who was part of the act, police said.

Formed in Santa Barbara in 1995, Snot quickly outgrew local clubs and began playing

shows in Los Angeles, which led to the group being signed by Geffen in June of 1996.

The signing was followed by the recording of its debut LP with producer T-Ray (House of

Pain, Helmet) in November of that year.

Known for Strait's snarling vocals, an irreverent attitude and a hard-driving, guitar-heavy

sound, as exemplified in such songs as

music/Snot/Stoopid.ram">"Stoopid" (RealAudio excerpt) and

href="http://media.addict.com/atn-bin/get-music/Snot/My_Balls.ram">"My Balls"

(RealAudio excerpt), Snot solidified their place in the pack of new modern-metal acts

when they won a slot on the Ozzfest bill.

Snot had been experiencing some turbulence recently as the quintet readied for the

recording of its second LP, with the September departure of guitarist Mike Smith and

drummer Jaime Miller.

Among the many fans who have discussed their loss in postings on the band's official

website (mysti.com/snot/) was Graham Vinson, who once met the charismatic singer.

"I was at a (hed) pe/System of a Down show last night and everyone was so sad that

Lynn had passed away that day in a car accident," Vinson wrote. "I was talking with

Wesstyle and Chizad from (hed) pe and they were in tears almost the whole time. I had

the pleasure of meeting Lynn once and watching him perform. I will always say I was

lucky to see Lynn alive."

In another posting on the site, fan Amber Jackson wrote that the news reached Snot's

fellow Ozzfest vets Sevendust just prior to the band taking the stage.

"Apparently Sevendust [were] good friends with Lynn and Snot. They found out just

before they went on stage. Sevendust played a Snot song in remembrance and

dedicated 'Prayer' to Lynn," Jackson wrote. "I myself loved Snot and Lynn's vocals. I am

saddened by his death. But always remember, 'there is always light at the end of the

tunnel of darkness.' "

Strait is survived by his mother, two sisters and a brother.