Natural causes are to blame for death of DI man involved in car accident

A Daniel Island man involved in a minor, two-vehicle accident on Seven Farms Drive on the evening of November 16 died from natural causes, according to the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office.

The victim has been identified as Paul Comer, 41. According to Coroner Bill Salisbury, Mr. Comer’s vehicle briefly made contact with another vehicle before veering off into the pond located next to the Volvo Car Stadium. There was evidence that Mr. Comer suffered a natural death, most likely due to an acute myocardial infarction, prior to hitting the vehicle, stated Salisbury.

According to Charleston Fire Marshall Mike Julazadeh, Engine 118, Ladder 101, and Battalion Chief 106 responded to the scene at approximately 8:05 p.m. The initial collision reportedly took place on Seven Farms Drive, adjacent to the pond.

“Firefighters donned life jackets and entered the water, located the submerged vehicle, and removed the patient,” stated Julazadeh.

Once ashore, crews initiated CPR and assisted Berkeley County EMS with transporting the victim to the hospital. The Charleston Police Department Dive Team was called to the scene to make sure that no other victims were inside the submerged vehicle. Once the vehicle was cleared, it was removed from the pond, at approximately 11:30 p.m., before being loaded onto a tow truck.

In addition to officers from Daniel Island-based Team 5, the City of Charleston Police Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) also responded to the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was not seriously injured, but was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons, stated Lt. James Byrne of Team 5.