While being pursued by neighboring Marlboro County deputies Tuesday afternoon, McColl Mayor George Garner II was killed in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler truck.
“When the incident occurred Mr. Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County deputy. The pursuit was not related to any laws being broken. The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the well-being of Mr. Garner,” Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee said, adding that he would “make a ruling on the manner of this death in the coming days.”
The town of McColl holds roughly 2,000 residents. Its late mayor, Garner, was connected to an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division at the time of his death. The details of the SLED probe remain unknown. The law enforcement agency did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
Marlboro County Emergency Management praised Garner as a “truly a remarkable individual” in a Facebook post, adding, “Our hearts are heavy during this difficult time.”
The shocking death follows an announcement on Nov. 21 from the city’s five-person police force that similarly stunned the Palmetto State.
