A mayor in South Carolina passed away during a police chase on Tuesday, shortly after the entire police department resigned over a “hostile work environment.”
During a police chase, McColl Mayor George Garner II swerved into eastbound traffic and crashed head-on with an 18-wheeler. Sources informed WBTW that Garner is linked to an ongoing investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, but specifics about the investigation remain unclear.
“The pursuit not related to any laws being broken. The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the well-being of Mr. Garner,” the coroner said, adding that more information will be released in the coming days.
On November 21, only five days prior to the accident, police chief Bob Hale along with his five officers stepped down from their positions. Hale shared the news of his departure on Facebook, citing “repeated acts of harassment” and “personal attacks” on his character from a town council member as his reasons for leaving.
Hale noted that the council member reduced the police’s funding when he took office.
“This lack of investment hampered our ability to operate at the standard the citizens of the Town of McColl rightfully expect and deserve,” he said in the post.
The McColl police department has faced its share of controversies in the past. The previous police chief resigned in June due to a toxic work atmosphere attributed to Garner, according to court documents.
Garner has successfully secured another term in the small town of 2,000 residents.