Columbia man dies after car rolls over

COLUMBIA — A 29-year-old Columbia man died early Wednesday morning after he was thrown from his car at the intersection of Stadium Boulevard and Old 63, said Officer Alan Hulett of the Columbia Police Department.

At around 3:18 a.m., Joseph H. Trainer was driving east on Stadium Boulevard toward Old 63 when he lost control of his 2002 Isuzu Rodeo and drove into the concrete island in the right turn lane. The car turned over three or four times before settling on its side. Trainer was ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Hulett, the crash scene investigator, said medical personnel found Trainer lying next to the vehicle with a head injury. He was transported to University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Blood samples were drawn by the medical examiner for toxicology screening, but the results won’t be available for several weeks, Hulett said. It is unknown why Trainer lost control of his vehicle, whether alcohol was involved or if the driver was excessively tired at the time of the accident, Hulett said. There were no passengers or other vehicles involved.