The mayor of a small South Carolina town was chased by a sheriff’s 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 Nov. 26, just days after the city’s entire police force was stopped.
Emergency responders took Garner and the truck driver 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 violation of any laws. The pursuit occurred in an effort to protect the welfare of Mr. Garner,” said coroner Todd Hardee.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich said later WNCT that an investigation into the mayor’s death is “active and ongoing.”
She did not provide further details about the case. Coroner Hardee has yet to rule on the manner of death.
DailyMail.com has asked the Darlington County Coroner’s Office for more information.
An investigation has also been initiated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Team or MAIT Unit, as confirmed by Darlington County Sheriff James Hudson Jr.
Mayor George Garner II, 49, of McColl, was chased by a deputy moments before he was killed in a head-on car crash
Emergency workers took Garner and the truck driver to a nearby hospital where the mayor succumbed to his injuries
Officials have not yet clarified why the mayor was pursued by a deputy.
Garner’s death comes less than a week after Police Chief Bob Hale and the city’s four officers resigned from their positions.
In a lengthy statement, Hale revealed he was stepping down as Chief due to alleged repeated harassment, personal attacks and “the overall creation of a toxic work environment” by a city council member.
He also claimed the department was facing a depleted budget and said calls for funding and training were also ignored after the particular councilor was elected.
Hale added allegations that he endured months of “unwarranted and malicious conduct” aimed at undermining his integrity and leadership.
He claimed the “toxic atmosphere” in the department “hindered its ability to function effectively” – despite multiple attempts to improve the situation and address the problem through “professional channels”.
The councilor was not mentioned by any of the officials in their respective statements. The police team’s last working day was on November 22.
While he was alive, Garner confirmed that the city was running out of officers and said the community was in a “difficult situation.”
A funeral service for the mayor will be held at McColl Church of God on December 3 at 3 p.m. Burial will follow in Rogers Cemetery
Emergency responders took Garner and the truck driver to McLeod Regional Medical Center, where the mayor succumbed to his injuries.
The city then announced that “the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department will be in McColl to answer any calls from the citizens.”
Locals are now demanding answers about Garner’s death, who have since described him as a ‘really nice guy’.
One of his neighbors, Bill Young, told me 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 someone who would enjoy helping those in need.
He added: ‘The person I knew was a very good guy, you know. He was a really nice guy. I saw him two days ago on his porch making Christmas lights.”
Young added, “We need leaders, we need someone to take charge.”
Garner’s untimely death comes less than a week after Police Chief Bob Hale and the city’s four officers resigned from their positions
While he was alive, Garner confirmed that the city was running out of officers and said the community was in a “difficult situation.” Pictured: McColl Police
Locals like Bill Young, seen here, are now demanding answers about Garner’s death
His death came just days after Police Chief Bob Hale and the city’s four officers resigned from their respective positions
Witness Dave Price and his wife had been close to the crash as the horrific events unfolded and recounted the outcome of the aftermath.
Price said: “It was just a big crisis. You could tell the person didn’t survive. We didn’t know anything at the time, but it didn’t look good.’
Interim Mayor Brain Blue said in a statement: “I wants everyone to know that the mayor loved his family and the people of the city of McColl.
“He always told us whether he was in the office or not, he always wanted us to move the city in the right direction.
“And at this time, I would like everyone to keep his family and the city 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 McColl Church of God on December 3 at 3 p.m. Burial will follow in Rogers Cemetery.