A state investigation and police pursuit both surround the death of an elected official from South Carolina's Pee Dee Region. Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee says 49 year old, George Garner died after crashing his vehicle into an 18 wheeler, Tuesday.
Garner was the Mayor of McColl, a town in Marlboro County at the time of his death. The Coroner says Garner was being pursued by Deputies when the crash happened. However, Hardee said the pursuit happened in an effort in an effort to protect Garner's wellbeing and not the result of laws being broken.
Garner died after being taken to a local hospital. The driver of the 18 wheeler was also hurt in the crash. A SLED Spokesperson says Garner was part of an active investigation, but wouldn't elaborate on the nature of that investigation.
This incident comes after the town of McColl's entire police force resigned last week, citing a hostile work environment.
