Columbia man, not wearing helmet, dies after losing control of motorcycle, coroner says

After a Columbia man died in a motorcycle crash in Richland County, the local coroner has released his name.

Thomas H. Blalock, 55, lost control while riding his motorcycle on the 4600 block of Meadowood Road, according to a statement from the Richland County coroner’s office. 

Blalock was not wearing a helmet during the 7:30 p.m. crash Wednesday night, according to the statement.

When EMS arrived at the scene, Blalock was still alive, and he was taken to Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital, according to the statement. He passed away at about 8 p.m.

An autopsy revealed that Blalock died of blunt force trauma to the head and chest, according to the statement.

The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Emily Bohatch

The State

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Emily Bohatch helps cover South Carolina’s government for The State. She also updates The State’s databases. Her accomplishments include winning multiple awards for her coverage of state government and of South Carolina’s prison system. She has a degree in Journalism from Ohio University’s E. W. Scripps School of Journalism. Support my work with a digital subscription