Coroner: Driver was Not Wearing a Seatbelt

4:37 PM, Jul 9, 2012   |    comments
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Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Officials from the South Carolina Highway Patrol say a Columbia man died Saturday after he struck a tree.

According to Trooper Brent Kelly, 68-year-old James Mitchell was driving on the 500 block of Skyland Drive around 5:00pm when he lost control of his vehicle.

Kelly says Mitchell ran off the right side of the road striking a mailbox and then swerved over to the left side of the road where he struck a tree.

Coroner Gary Watts says the victim was not wearing a seat belt and died on the scene due to trauma associated with the collision.

Highway Patrol continues to investigate the accident.