The mayor of McColl, South Carolina, George Garner II, died in a car wreck on Nov. 26. Authorities reported that Garner was being pursued by sheriff’s deputies at the time of the crash. He was driving a Chevy Tahoe when he veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a tractor trailer. Garner, the only occupant in the vehicle, later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. The driver of the tractor trailer was also injured.
Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee stated that the pursuit by a Marlboro County sheriff’s deputy was not related to any laws being broken but was done in an effort to protect Garner’s well-being. Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon mentioned that officers were following Garner but not actively pursuing him when the crash occurred. The investigation into the crash is ongoing by the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team.
In a separate incident last month, the entire police force in McColl resigned, citing unwanted and malicious behavior. Garner was also under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The details of the investigation were not disclosed. The situation is still developing, and new information may arise.
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