Motorcyclist’s family gets $50K settlement in fatal crash involving trooper’s teen daughter

Anderson Independent-Mail (SC)

Dec. 04--A $50,000 legal settlement has been approved for the family of a motorcyclist who was killed in a crash involving a South Carolina HIghway Patrol trooper's teenage daughter.

The settlement for Shane Goodwin's family ends a wrongful-death lawsuit and survival action brought against Gracen Gaylord, her father, Toni Gaylord, and stepmother Tracy Gaylord. Court documents acknowledging the approval of the settlement were filed electronically Nov. 17 at the Anderson County Courthouse.

Goodwin, 47, of Pelzer, was fatally wounded in a Feb. 25 crash.

Shortly after 11 p.m. that day, he was traveling on U.S. 29 North in Pelzer, headed back to his home on Bonnie Lane. His 1999 Harley-Davidson was struck from behind by a 2012 Toyota Corolla, according to Anderson County Deputy Coroner Charlie Boseman.

According to Boseman's report on the crash, the impact caused Goodwin's body to propel onto the hood and front window of the sedan, "causing trauma to the upper body."

Goodwin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Boseman said shortly after the crash that a 17-year-old girl was driving "the family car" during the crash. The car is registered to the girl's father, who is a trooper, Boseman said.

"I didn't see anything at the scene that indicates that Mr. Goodwin was at fault," Boseman said in an interview after the crash.

The settlement will be paid through Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company. According to court documents, the Gaylords and the insurance company deny all allegations brought against them and "assert that (the) decedent was the sole cause of the subject accident."

Because the car involved in the crash was registered to a state trooper, the Highway Patrol was not the investigating agency on the wreck. The Anderson County Sheriff's Office investigated it and determined March 31 that no charges would be filed in the case.

In an interview after that determination was made, Sheriff Chad McBride said his agency's investigation indicates Goodwin was parked or stopped in the middle of the road, but not in such a way that deputies believe Goodwin was preparing for a turn.

"He was at a standstill ... but we don't know exactly why," McBride said. "We wish we did."

McBride said the teenage driver of the car that struck Goodwin was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He also said speed was not a factor in the accident.

"We think she just couldn't see him in time," McBride said. "We don't believe there was negligence on her part."

McBride said Goodwin may not have had his motorcycle lights turned on, but deputies were unsure about that.

Toni Gaylord, who was a trooper at the time of his daughter's crash, has since retired from the Highway Patrol.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Follow NIkie Mayo on Twitter @NikieMayo or email her at [email protected].

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