South Carolina mayor killed in car crash during police chase

On November 28, 2024By Pranco

The mayor of a South Carolina city was killed in a car accident Tuesday afternoon. Authorities said he was being chased by deputies when the crash occurred.

McColl, SC Mayor George Garner II was killed after colliding with another vehicle in the Darlington County town of Mechanicsville, SC at approximately 2:40 PM on November 26. Garner was recently re-elected as mayor of McColl, a town of about 1,900 residents. in Marlboro County, SC

The South Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed both South Carolina Public Radio And The state According to the newspaper, Garner was driving a 2007 Chevy Tahoe when he drove into oncoming traffic and struck a Volvo tractor trailer. Garner, the sole occupant of the vehicle he was driving, was taken to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The tractor driver was injured and treated at the same hospital. The South Carolina Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

The mayor of SC was chased by the sheriff’s deputy

Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee wrote Tuesday that Garner was being chased by a Marlboro County sheriff’s deputy at the time of the crash.

“The pursuit was not related to any violation of any laws,” Hardee wrote in the statement posted to his Facebook page. “The pursuit occurred in an effort to protect the welfare of Mr. Garner.”

Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon said Wednesday WBTW news13 in Myrtle Beach, SC that officers were behind Garner but not “pursuing” him when he crashed head-on into an 18-wheeler and died. He said officers began following him after Garner’s wife contacted the sheriff’s office and they thought they should report to Garner.

Hardee wrote that the crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team.

Attempts to contact the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Police resignations and investigations in SC

Last month, McColl’s police chief and four other law enforcement officers, comprising the city’s entire police force, resigned, citing “unwanted and malicious conduct,” in a social media post that has since been deleted, police said. South Carolina Public Radio.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed Wednesday that Garner remains the subject of an active and ongoing investigation, but did not release any further details.

This is a developing story and has been updated with new information.

Max Hauptman is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at [email protected].