We are learning more about the circumstances surrounding the death of rapper Lil Poppa … and it’s pretty shocking.

TMZ broke the news … the rapper — real name Janarious Mykel Wheeler — was pronounced dead yesterday in Georgia at the age of 25.

Hapeville Chief of Police Bruce Hedley tells TMZ … Lil Poppa was in a single-car accident on Interstate 85 south of Hapeville … which is when he called his manager asking what he should do. The car was still drivable.

We’re told it’s unclear what they discussed — but at some point, the rapper pulled a handgun, put it to his head and pulled the trigger, shooting himself dead. Hedley tells us … an off-duty officer who was working at the hotel called 911.

Lil Poppa was rushed to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced dead … no suicide note left.

Lil Poppa was signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG) and has released several hit tracks over the last few years, including “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “HAPPY TEARS.”