The death of George Garner II, mayor of McColl, South Carolina, in a head-on collision during a police pursuit, has raised serious questions about its timing and potential connections to the recent resignation of the town’s entire police department.
Garner died Tuesday in Mechanicsville after his vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and struck a tractor-trailer. Deputies from the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office were following him at his wife’s request to conduct a welfare check. According to officials, the pursuit was not related to criminal activity but rather to concerns for Garner’s safety.
Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee stated the pursuit was undertaken to “protect the well-being of Mr. Garner.” However, the circumstances remain unclear. What prompted his wife’s concern, and why did Garner drive into oncoming traffic?
The incident occurred just weeks after McColl’s police chief and four officers resigned, leaving the town without its own law enforcement. Their resignation, citing “malicious behavior,” has led to speculation about tensions within the town’s leadership. Could these events be connected?
Sheriff Charles Lemon insists deputies were not chasing Garner, but their presence raises questions about how it influenced his actions. Was he fleeing, or was his erratic driving caused by another factor?
As McColl residents mourn their mayor, the community is left with unanswered questions about the events leading to his death and the broader turmoil within their town. Investigators will need to dig deeper to uncover the truth.
