George Garner II, mayor of McColl, South Carolina, died in a head-on collision Tuesday while being pursued by sheriff’s deputies. The incident has sparked speculation about its connection to the recent resignation of McColl’s entire police force.
Garner, who had just won reelection, collided with a tractor-trailer in Mechanicsville after veering into oncoming traffic. Deputies were reportedly following him at his wife’s request to check on his welfare. According to Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon, deputies were behind Garner but not “chasing” him.
Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee described the pursuit as an effort to “protect the well-being of Mr. Garner.” However, this statement leaves questions unanswered. What specific concerns prompted the welfare check? And what caused Garner to drive into oncoming traffic?
The timing of the crash is striking, occurring just weeks after the McColl Police Department’s chief and four officers resigned. Their resignation letter cited “malicious behavior,” but details remain vague. Could this resignation have been tied to conflicts within the town’s leadership?
Sheriff Lemon’s assurance that deputies were not chasing Garner has done little to quell speculation. Was the mayor attempting to flee from perceived danger? Did the police presence play a role in his erratic driving?
As the investigation unfolds, McColl residents are left seeking clarity. The proximity of these events—the police resignations and Garner’s death—raises critical questions about the leadership and stability of the small South Carolina town.
