Truck driver died before pickup ran off Columbia road, Richland County coroner says
A man driving a truck suffered a fatal heart attack Monday before the pickup ran off a Columbia road and crashed, the Richland County Coroner’s Office said.
The single-vehicle collision happened at about 8:30 a.m. on Garners Ferry Road near the intersection with Spring Crossing Road, said Master Trooper David Jones of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The driver was identified as John F. Dunning, Jr., Coroner Gary Watts said Tuesday in a news release.
The 65-year-old Winnsboro resident died at the scene, and an autopsy showed his cause of death was due to an Acute Myocardial Infarction occurring prior to the collision, according to Watts.
The 2011 Chevrolet pickup was heading east on Garners Ferry Road when it crossed over to the left and went off the road, Jones said.
The Chevy smashed into several trees before hitting an embankment, Jones said.
Dunning, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, according to Jones. No other injuries were reported.
The collision is being investigated by Highway Patrol and the coroner’s office.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 8:50 AM.
