George Garner II, the mayor of McColl, South Carolina, tragically died Tuesday in a head-on collision during a police pursuit. The incident has left the town of 1,900 residents grappling with questions about its leadership and the circumstances of the crash.
Garner collided with a tractor-trailer in Mechanicsville after veering into oncoming traffic. Marlboro County Sheriff’s deputies had been following him at his wife’s request for a welfare check. Authorities claim the pursuit was not related to any criminal activity but instead aimed at ensuring Garner’s safety.
Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee stated the pursuit was undertaken to “protect the well-being of Mr. Garner.” However, it remains unclear why such a dramatic response was necessary and what led Garner to drive erratically.
Adding to the mystery is the timing of the incident. Just weeks earlier, the entire McColl Police Department resigned, citing “unwanted and malicious behavior.” This mass resignation has fueled speculation about deeper conflicts within the town’s leadership and whether they played a role in Garner’s tragic death.
Sheriff Charles Lemon has emphasized that deputies were not actively chasing Garner. Still, their presence may have contributed to his decision to swerve into oncoming traffic. Without more details, the exact cause of the crash remains uncertain.
As investigators work to piece together the events leading to Garner’s death, questions about McColl’s leadership and the circumstances of the police department’s resignation continue to swirl. The timing and nature of these incidents demand a closer look.
