McColl Mayor George Garner, 49, died Tuesday in an automobile crash with an 18-wheeler in Darlington County.
Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee confirmed Wednesday that Garner was being followed by Marlboro County Sheriff's deputies when the crash occurred. Hardee said his office will perform toxicology tests, which could take six to eight weeks to come back, but that he doesn't "believe toxicology will play into it."
Lance Cpl. Lena Butler of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said Tuesday that the collision occurred at approximately 2:40 p. m. on S. C. Highway 34 near North Charleston Road, approximately nine miles east of Darlington.
Garner was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and was the only occupant. Butler said he was injured and transported by EMS to McLeod Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of a 2003 Volvo tractor trailer also was injured and taken to McLeod Regional Medical Center.
According to the report, Garner “traveled left to center and struck [the tractor trailer].”
“This is all the information I have and this collision remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol," Butler said.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has confirmed it is investigating the incident, but no further information is available.
Mayor Pro Tem Brian Blue said Wednesday that McColl’s leadership will be in his hands until a special election is set.
“He was a great mayor for the Town of McColl,” Blue said Wednesday. “He cared about the people and we will continue leading as he did.”
McColl was already in a troubled time. Last week, the five-person police department resigned under accusations of a toxic work environment.
The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office has been providing law enforcement coverage for McColl since the resignations.
Updated Nov. 29, 2024: A visitation will be held on Dec. 2 from 6p.m. to 8 p.m. and a funeral will be held on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at McColl Church of God.
