Fifty-two year old William Lee Howard of Maiden, North Carolina died Thursday night when he lost control on Greenbrier Street and crashed over an embankment.

"From what we can tell, it looks like he lost control and he flipped his car into a creek," said Sgt. Shawn Williams. "It was upside down when we arrived so we're not exactly sure what caused his death."

A medical examiner will determine if the impact of the crash or his landing in the water resulted in his death.

Howard was in town visiting relatives in South Charleston.  He was alone in the vehicle, with the exception of his dog. Humane officers took the animal to the animal shelter.  

"The dog was pretty shaken up and scared," said Williams.

Officers say they still are trying to figure out what caused Howard to lose control of the wheel.