Mayor dies in police chase days after entire police department resigns, officials say

DARLINGTON COUNTY, SC (WMBF/Gray News ) – A South Carolina mayor has died in a car crash while being “pursued” by law enforcement days after his city’s entire police department resigned.

Mayor George Garner, who had recently been re-elected, died after the 2:40 p.m. crash on Highway 34.

Coroner Todd Hardee revealed in a Facebook post that a deputy from the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office was following Garner at the time of the crash.

“The pursuit was not related to the violation of any law,” Hardee wrote. “The pursuit was taking place in an effort to protect the welfare of Mr. Garner.”

Garner was driving a westbound Chevrolet Tahoe when it veered across the center line and struck a tractor-trailer.

Garner and the tractor driver were taken to the hospital for treatment, but Garner died from his injuries. He was 49 years old.

The medical examiner said he would make a decision on Garner’s manner of death in the coming days.

“Please keep this family and the good people of our neighboring Marlboro County in your prayers,” Hardee said.

News of his death comes after residents were notified last week that the Marlboro County town would be left without a police force after the entire department resigned.