Man pulled from car found in creek dies

March 20--UNION -- A Pauline man who was pulled unconscious from his car after it was found in a creek off Mt. Lebanon Road has died.

In a statement released this afternoon, Union County Coroner William Holcombe announced that his office had been informed late Tuesday evening that Ralph Goodwin, 60, 6901 Hwy 56, Pauline, died at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center shortly before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Holcombe said that Goodwin "received an extensive traumatic brain injury." He said "an autopsy is being conducted by Newberry Pathology Associates to determine if a medical condition may have contributed to the accident."

Goodwin was found around 1:30 p.m. Monday after a passing motorist noticed tire tracks running off the embankment into the creek.

Union County Sheriff Howard Wells said Tuesday that when emergency personnel found Goodwin he was unconscious and did not regain consciousness when extracted from his vehicle.

Goodwin was transported by Union County EMS to Spartanburg Regional Monday afternoon.

Taylor said a member of Goodwin's family had contacted Union County Dispatch to ask that law enforcement be on the lookout for him as he had not returned home Sunday night.

L/Cpl Gary Miller of the SC Highway Patrol said that the time of the accident was unknown, but it appeared Goodwin's 1989 Honda had been traveling north on SC 215 when it ran off the left side of the road and down the embankment into the creek.

Miller said it appeared Goodwin's car was the only vehicle involved in the accident. He said Goodwin, who was not wearing a seat belt and was not ejected from the car, was apparently alone in the vehicle when it ran off the road and into the creek.

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