The mayor of McColl, South Carolina, George Garner II, tragically died in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler while being pursued by law enforcement. The chase occurred just days after the town’s entire police force resigned due to a “hostile work environment.” Sources say Garner was connected to an ongoing investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, though details are unclear.
The coroner stated that the pursuit was not related to any laws being broken, but was in an effort to protect Garner’s well-being. More information on the incident is expected to be released in the coming days. Prior to the crash, Police Chief Bob Hale and his five officers resigned citing “repeated acts of harassment” and “personal attacks” on their character by a town council member who also cut police funding.
This is not the first time the McColl police department has faced conflict. The former police chief resigned in June due to a hostile work environment caused by Garner. Despite the turmoil, Garner recently won re-election in the town of 2,000 people. The community now mourns the loss of their mayor and the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.
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