MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Marlboro County’s sheriff said Wednesday that officers were behind McColl Mayor George Garner but not “pursuing him” when he crashed head-on into an 18-wheeler and died.
Garner crashed Tuesday afternoon on Cashua Ferry Road in Darlington County. Coroner Todd Hardee initially said the crash happened while Garner was being “pursued” by authorities but said it was in “an effort to protect the well being of Mr. Garner.”
Sheriff Charles Lemon would not talk on camera to News13 on Wednesday but said deputies began following Garner after his wife had a conversation with the sheriff’s office that led them to think they needed to check in on Garner.
The crash happened about 2:40 p.m. about nine miles outside of Darlington. Garner, 49, was driving westbound in a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe when he veered into the eastbound lane and collided the the 18-wheeler. The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Darlington County Sheriff James Hudson Jr. said the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s multi-disciplinary accident team, or MAIT unit, is investigating the crash.
News13 also learned on Tuesday that, at the time of the crash, Garner was connected to an “active and ongoing” investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. A SLED spokesperson, however, said no additional information about the case was immediately available.
Garner’s death also follows the recent resignation of the town of McColl’s police chief and all four of its officers earlier in the week. Now-former chief Bob Hale said in a Facebook message that a hostile work environment and inadequate funding were partly to blame.
Because of the resignations, Lemon and others have been patrolling in McColl so residents will know they are safe. He said someone will be out all day and all night.
Meanwhile, McColl Councilman Brian Blue posted a photo of him and Garner on Facebook on Wednesday, saying, “You will be missed my friend You did your best as the Mayor of McColl Please keep his family in prayer Love you my brother.”
This is a developing story. Count on News13 for updates.
