Clemson University employee was found dead

By Charmaine Smith
Anderson Independent-Mail
February 3, 2006

Carl E. Foster’s slim body was thrown about 75 feet across the pond around 3:30 a.m. Friday and divers found him in about 8-feet of water around 8:15 a.m., Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said. Mr. Foster worked in the maintenance department at the university, Mr. Shore added.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating what caused Mr. Foster’s car to run off the road.

But in a brief exam, Mr. Shore said he was able to determine that Mr. Foster was ejected from the car and interviews with friends and family members revealed that he had just left a party when the crash occurred.

"His friends hid his keys from him and told he didn’t need to be driving," Mr. Shore said, adding that the group had been drinking. "But he found the keys and left."

Despite efforts from his friends to stop him, Mr. Foster tried to drive back to his home on LaFrance Road.

Tests are being conducted today to determine if alcohol played a contributing factor in the crash.

The young man’s family and friends stood vigil at the pond through the morning until rescue workers recovered him.