DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - A mayor in South Carolina died in a car crash while being “pursued” by law enforcement days after his town’s entire police department resigned.
Mayor George Garner, who had recently been reelected, died after the 2:40 p.m. crash on Highway 34.
Coroner Todd Hardee revealed in a Facebook post that a deputy with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office was following Garner at the time of the crash.
“The pursuit was not related to any laws being broken,” Hardee wrote. “The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the well being of Mr. Garner.”
Garner was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe heading west when he veered over the center line and crashed into a tractor-trailer.
Garner and the tractor-trailer driver were taken to a hospital for treatment, however, Garner died from his injuries. He was 49 years old.
The coroner said he will make a ruling on the manner of Garner’s death in the coming days.
“Please keep this family, and the fine folks in our neighboring Marlboro County in your prayers,” Hardee said.
The news of his death comes after residents were notified last week that the Marlboro County town would be without a police force after the entire department resigned.