S.C. mayor dies in pursuit days after entire police department resigns
MECHANICVILLE, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Darlington County coroner released new information on the Tuesday afternoon crash that claimed the life of the mayor of McColl.
Mayor George Garner, who had recently been re-elected, died after the 2:40 p.m. crash on Highway 34 in Mechanicsville.
Coroner Todd Hardee revealed in a Facebook post that a deputy with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office was following Garner at the time of the crash.
“The pursuit was not related to any laws being broken,” Hardee wrote. “The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the well being of Mr. Garner.”
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Hardee added that he will make a ruling on the manner of Garner’s death in the coming days.
“Please keep this family, and the fine folks in our neighboring Marlboro County in your prayers,” Hardee said.
Garner was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe heading west on Highway 34 near North Charleston Road when he veered over the center line and crashed into a tractor-trailer, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Garner and the tractor-trailer driver were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Garner died from his injuries. He was 49 years old.
The news of his death comes after residents were notified last week that the small Marlboro County town would be without a police force after the entire department resigned.
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Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office has stepped in to patrol the small town in the interim.
Officials from the neighboring town of Clio shared their condolences during this difficult time for Garner’s family and the town of McColl.
The SCHP is investigating the crash.
SLED Investigation
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s representative Renee Wunderlich confirmed that the organization has an active investigation that involves the late mayor.
SLED’s investigation is still active and no further details were provided.
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