Former Manager Of N.W.A Jerry Heller Dead At 75

THOUSAND OAKS (CBSLA.com) — Former N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller died Friday after possibly suffering a medical emergency while driving in Ventura County.

The 75-year-old Heller was driving westbound on Triunfo Canyon Road approaching Westlake Boulevard in Thousand Oaks when his vehicle struck the back of a mini-van.

The crash unfolded just before noon. Heller was transported to Los Robles Hospital, where he died just before 10:30 p.m., a coroner's official confirmed to CBS Los Angeles.

The initial investigation suggests Heller may of have had a medical emergency, perhaps a heart attack, causing the collision, according to authorities.

Heller worked with legends like Elton John, Pink Floyd and Creedence Clearwater Revival. He co-founded Ruthless Records with Eazy-E, which released N.W.A.'s seminal album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988, according to the Associated Press.

Heller later had a falling out with band members, and as of last year, had filed a defamation suit against Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, among others, over the release of the film, "Straight Outta Compton."

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash was asked to call the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 494-8271.