The mayor of a South Carolina town where the entire police force resigned in anger at local officials has died in a car crash — while being “pursued” and investigated by other law enforcement, according to reports.
McColl Mayor George Garner II, 49, was killed when his 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe plowed head-on into an 18-wheeler Tuesday afternoon — just five days after police Chief Bob Hale and his five officers stunned the small town by resigning.
When he crashed, the newly elected mayor “was being pursued” by a Marlboro County sheriff’s deputy, the investigating coroner said.
“The pursuit not related to any laws being broken. The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the well-being of Mr. Garner,” the coroner said, without elaborating on what it would be needed. More info on exactly how he died will be released soon, the coroner said.
After his death, it emerged that the mayor was also connected to an active investigation from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division [SLED], sources told WBTW, without detailing what the investigation involved. SLED did not immediately respond to requests for information Friday.
Garner had recently won re-election in the town of about 2,000 residents.
However, his administration was mired in a local crisis when the entire police force quit on Thursday last week, with Chief Hale blaming harassment by an unidentified council member for creating a “hostile work environment.”
That created “a toxic atmosphere that has hindered the department’s ability to function effectively,” the former chief said in a statement on social media.
“Despite our efforts to address these issues professionally and through appropriate channels, the harassment and hostility have persisted,” he said, while also complaining about slashed funding.
Garner said at the time that the sudden resignations left the town in a “difficult situation” but had no ill feelings towards the chief.
“I hate to see them go. They were a great group. But we’re gonna continue on,” Garner said, vowing to hire more cops.
After Garener’s death, Brian Blue has stepped in to cover mayoral duties.
“I know it’s a hard time right now for our town, but us as a council and me as your mayor Pro tempore, we will continue fighting for you all,” Mayor pro tempore Brian Blue assured residents in a statement, according to WPDE.
The crash remains under investigation by South Carolina Highway Patrol. The Post has reached out to the agency for additional information.
A funeral service for Garner will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 at McColl Church of God, according to Garner’s obituary.
