The father of former University of South Carolina women's basketball star Alaina Coates died while driving a vehicle Tuesday.
Gary Coates, 55, of Irmo, suffered from cardiac arrest while driving along Links Crossing Drive in Blythewood, according to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts, who confirmed that he is the former Gamecock great's father.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on March 13, according to Watts. Coates' vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy indicated that Coates suffered from a cardiac event that caused his death and there was no trauma from the vehicle incident.