Disgraced mayor killed in head-on car crash while fleeing cops in police chase

Mayor George Garner II was nether probe erstwhile helium died successful a car clang portion being "pursued" by constabulary having precocious faced a situation successful his municipality erstwhile each its officers resigned

A politician has died successful a car clang portion being "pursued" by police conscionable days aft officers abruptly resigned successful fury amid claims of a municipality official's "hostile enactment environment."

George Garner II, 49, the politician of McColl, South Carolina, died erstwhile his 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe smashed into different conveyance connected Tuesday. His decease came conscionable 5 days aft the town's full constabulary unit resigned.

At the clip of the crash, recently elected Garner II "was being pursued" by a Marboro County sheriff's deputy, according to a coroner. The Darlington County Coroner said successful a Facebook station shared connected November 27: "The incidental occurred connected Hwy 34 successful Mechanicsville astir 2:40 PM. Mr. Garner was the Mayor of McColl, SC and had precocious been re-elected.

"The incidental is nether probe by The Darlington County Coroner and the SCHP MAIT team. When the incidental occurred Mr. Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County Deputy.

"The pursuit was not related to immoderate laws being broken. The pursuit was taking spot successful an effort to support the good being of Mr. Garner."

Following his death, sources told section web WBTW that the politician was connected to an progressive probe by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Details of the probe were not further disclosed to the network.

Garner II precocious won re-election successful McColl, a municipality of astir 2,000 people. But his medication faced a caller situation erstwhile the constabulary unit discontinue past week.

McColl main Bob Hale resigned alongside his 5 officers citing alleged harassment by an unidentified assembly member, whom helium accused of creating a "hostile enactment environment." The erstwhile main added successful a societal media connection that further created "a toxic ambiance that has hindered the department's quality to relation effectively.

"Despite our efforts to code these issues professionally and done due channels, the harassment and hospitality person persisted." He besides complained astir receiving little funding.

At the clip Garner II said the resignations near the municipality successful a "difficult situation" but that helium felt nary sick feelings toward the constabulary chief. According to the New York Post, helium added: "“I hatred to spot them go. They were a large group. But we’re gonna proceed on." He went connected to vow to prosecute much constabulary officers.

Following his death, Brian Blue has taken implicit mayoral duties. He told WPDE: "I cognize it’s a hard clip close present for our town, but america arsenic a assembly and maine arsenic your politician Pro tempore, we volition proceed warring for you all."

The clang continues to beryllium nether probe by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.