McColl Mayor George Garner was being pursued by deputy moments earlier than deadly crash simply days after police pressure stop
The mayor of a small South Carolina town was being pursued by a deputy moments before a fatal collision with another vehicle.
Mayor George Garner II, 49, of McColl, was driving on Highway 34 in Mechanicsville when he veered left of the center line and crashed into an 18-wheeler on November 26, just days after the town’s entire police force quit
Emergency responders took Garner and the driver of the truck to McLeod Regional Medical Center where the mayor succumbed to his injuries.
‘When the incident occurred Mr. Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County Deputy.
‘The pursuit was not related to any laws being broken. The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the wellbeing of Mr. Garner,’ coroner Todd Hardee said.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich later told WNCT that an investigation into the mayor’s death ‘is ‘active and ongoing’.
She did not provide any other details about the case. Coroner Hardee is yet to make a ruling on the manner of death.
DailyMail.com has requested the Darlington County Coroner’s Office for more information.
An investigation has also been launched by South Carolina Highway Patrol’s multi-disciplinary accident team or MAIT unit, as confirmed by Darlington County Sheriff James Hudson Jr.
Mayor George Garner II, 49, of McColl, was being pursued by a deputy moments before he died in a head-on vehicle crash
Emergency responders took Garner and the driver of the truck to a nearby hospital where the mayor succumbed to his injuries
Officials have not yet clarified why the mayor was being pursued by a deputy.
Garner’s death comes within a week of Police Chief Bob Hale and the town’s four officers’ resignation from their respective roles.
In a lengthy statement, Hale revealed that he stepped back from being Chief due to alleged repeated harassment, personal attacks and ‘the overall creation of a toxic work environment’ by a town councilman.
He also claimed that the department was facing a depleted budget and said appeals for funding as well as training were also being ignored after the certain councilman was elected.
Hale included allegations that for months, he had ‘endured unwarranted and malicious behavior’ aimed at undermining his integrity and leadership.
He claimed that the ‘toxic atmosphere’ at the department ‘hindered its ability to function effectively’ – despite multiple efforts to improve the situation and address the problem through ‘professional channels’.
The councilman has not been named by any of the officers in their respective statements. The police team’s last working day was on November 22.
When alive, Garner confirmed that the town no longer had any officers and said the community is in a ‘difficult situation’.
A funeral service for the mayor will be held at 3pm on December 3 at McColl Church of God. Burial will follow at Rogers cemetery
Emergency responders took Garner and the driver of the truck to McLeod Regional Medical Center where the mayor succumbed to his injuries
The town then announced that ‘the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department will be in McColl to answer any call the citizens may have’.
Locals have now been left demanding answers over Garner’s death, who have since described him as a ‘real nice guy’.
One of his neighbors Bill Young told WMBF: ‘It shocked me. It shocked me because it was like “Are you telling me the truth?’
According to Young he went to school with Garner, and remembers him as being someone who would gladly reach out to those in need.
He added: ‘The person that I knew was a real good guy, you know. He was a real nice guy. I saw him two days ago on his porch doing Christmas lights.’
Young added: ‘We need leaders, we need somebody to take charge.’
Garner’s untimely death comes within a week of Police Chief Bob Hale and the town’s four officers’ resignation from their respective roles
When alive, Garner confirmed that the town no longer had any officers and said the community is in a ‘difficult situation’. Pictured: The McColl Police Department
Locals like Bill Young, seen here, have now been left demanding answers over Garner’s death
His death came just days after Police Chief Bob Hale and the town’s four officers’ resignation from their respective roles
Witness Dave Price and his wife had been near the crash when the horrific events unfolded, telling the outlet of the aftermath.
Price said: ‘It was just a large crunch. You could tell the person wasn’t surviving. We didn’t know anything at the time, but it didn’t look good.’
Temporary Mayor Brain Blue said in a statement: ‘I want everyone to know the mayor loved his family and the people in the Town of McColl.
‘He always told us whether he was in or out of office, he always wanted us to move the town in the right direction.
‘And at this time, I would like for everybody to keep his family and the Town of McColl in your prayers as we deal with the loss of the mayor of McColl.’
A funeral service for the mayor will be held at 3pm on December 3 at McColl Church of God. Burial will follow at Rogers cemetery.
