The mayor of a South Carolina city the place your complete police pressure resigned in anger at native officers has died in a automotive crash — whereas being “pursued” and investigated by different legislation enforcement, in accordance with reviews.
McColl Mayor George Garner II, 49, was killed when his 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe plowed head-on into an 18-wheeler Tuesday afternoon — simply 5 days after police Chief Bob Hale and his 5 officers shocked the small city by resigning.
When he crashed, the newly elected mayor “was being pursued” by a Marlboro County sheriff’s deputy, the investigating coroner mentioned.
“The pursuit not associated to any legal guidelines being damaged. The pursuit was going down in an effort to guard the well-being of Mr. Garner,” the coroner mentioned, with out elaborating on what it might be wanted. Extra information on precisely how he died will likely be launched quickly, the coroner mentioned.
After his demise, it emerged that the mayor was additionally related to an energetic investigation from the South Carolina Legislation Enforcement Division [SLED], sources advised WBTW, with out detailing what the investigation concerned. SLED didn’t instantly reply to requests for info Friday.
Garner had not too long ago gained re-election within the city of about 2,000 residents.
Nevertheless, his administration was mired in an area disaster when your complete police pressure give up on Thursday final week, with Chief Hale blaming harassment by an unidentified council member for making a “hostile work surroundings.”
That created “a poisonous environment that has hindered the division’s means to perform successfully,” the previous chief mentioned in a press release on social media.
“Regardless of our efforts to handle these points professionally and thru applicable channels, the harassment and hostility have persevered,” he mentioned, whereas additionally complaining about slashed funding.
Garner mentioned on the time that the sudden resignations left the city in a “troublesome state of affairs” however had no sick emotions in the direction of the chief.
“I hate to see them go. They have been an awesome group. However we’re gonna proceed on,” Garner mentioned, vowing to rent extra cops.
After Garener’s demise, Brian Blue has stepped in to cowl mayoral duties.
“I do know it’s a tough time proper now for our city, however us as a council and me as your mayor Professional tempore, we are going to proceed preventing for you all,” Mayor professional tempore Brian Blue assured residents in a press release, in accordance with WPDE.
The crash stays below investigation by South Carolina Freeway Patrol. The Publish has reached out to the company for extra info.
A funeral service for Garner will likely be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 at McColl Church of God, in accordance with Garner’s obituary.
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