Tragedy Strikes McColl, South Carolina: Mayor George Garner II Killed in Car Crash Amid Police Pursuit
A devastating car crash in Mechanicsville, South Carolina, has claimed the life of McColl’s Mayor George Garner II. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, around 2:40 p.m., while Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County sheriff’s deputy.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Garner’s 2007 Chevy Tahoe veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Volvo tractor-trailer. Garner, who was alone in his vehicle, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The tractor-trailer driver also sustained injuries and received treatment at the same hospital.
Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee confirmed that the pursuit was not related to any criminal activity, but rather an effort to protect Garner’s well-being. However, the circumstances leading to the pursuit remain unclear, and the crash is under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team.
This tragedy unfolds amid a tumultuous period for McColl’s local government and law enforcement. Last month, the town’s police chief and four other officers resigned, citing “unwanted and malicious behavior.” The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) also confirmed that Garner was the subject of an active investigation at the time of his death, although details remain undisclosed.
As the investigation continues, the town of McColl grapples with the sudden loss of their mayor and the surrounding uncertainties.