Found in a South Carolina paper

Foul play ruled out in woman’s death

Investigators have ruled out foul play in the case of a woman who died shortly after being driven to a Columbia-area gas station Friday.

Velveeta Elaine Daniel Johnson, 44, of 2404 Washington St., Columbia, died at Palmetto Health Richland about 5:15 p.m., about 30 minutes after she was driven to a gas station in the 6000 block of Monticello Road, said Ted Kennedy, Richland County chief deputy coroner.

Witnesses said a man got out of the vehicle, a red truck, to get help, Kennedy said. Johnson, who had asthma, started to stumble when she got out. When emergency crews arrived, the man drove off. He has not been located. Richland County sheriff’s spokesman Joseph Pellicci said investigators want to talk with the man to find out what happened.

No cause of death has been determined, Kennedy said. Toxicology tests are still being done.

-jenny