A South Carolina mayor has died in a crash when he was ‘pushed over’ by a deputy, days after the police were out

A South Carolina mayor died in a car crash during a “manhunt” by law enforcement days after the entire police department in his city was evacuated, a coroner said.

McColl Mayor George Garner II, 49, died Tuesday afternoon “when the car he was driving collided head-on with a truck” in Mechanicsville, according to Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee.

“At the time of this incident Mr. Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County Deputy. This pursuit was not related to any law being broken. This pursuit was in an effort to protect Mr. Garner’s welfare,” Hardee added, without interruption. to elaborate.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich told WBTW that the agency has an “active and ongoing” investigation connected to Garner, but could not provide additional details. SLED did not immediately respond Saturday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSING IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The accident happened after police in McColl — a town of about 2,000 residents near the state’s border with North Carolina — went off duty last week.

“It is with great sadness that I am confirming my resignation as Chief of Police of the McColl Police Department along with all four of my fellow officers,” wrote Chief Bob Hale on Facebook. “My personal decision to leave the McColl Police Department can be attributed to the repeated acts of harassment, personal attacks on my character, and the overall creation of a hostile work environment by a particular Councilman.”

Hale added that the actions of the unnamed councilor made the Department unable to function properly.

“For many months, I have endured bad and hateful behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership,” Hale continued in this position. “These actions not only affected me personally but also created a toxic environment that hampered the proper functioning of the department. Despite our efforts to deal with these problems professionally and through proper channels, the harassment and hostility continued.”

ARRESTED AFTER KILLING A SMALL-TOWN MOUNTAIN WALKER KILLED AS A BEAR ATTACK.

McColl city police officers quit last week, just days before the death of Mayor George Garner II. (City of McColl Facebook)

In his statement, Hale also pointed out that money has been cut from the police department’s budget and that other important needs of the police are not being met.

On Friday, Garner confirmed that the city no longer has police officers and told WMBF News that the community is “in dire straits.”

The city then announced on Tuesday that “the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department will be in McColl to answer any calls that residents may have.”

Marlboro County Emergency Management/911 described Garner as a “truly remarkable person” who “treated everyone with warmth and respect, and his kindness left a lasting impression on those around him.”

Former McColl Police Chief Bob Hale said “My personal decision to leave the McColl Police Department can be attributed to the repeated acts of harassment, personal attacks on my character, and the overall creation of a hostile work environment run by a certain Councilman.” (WMBF News)

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“On behalf of Marlboro County E911, we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Mayor George Garner. Our hearts are heavy at this difficult time, and we keep everyone affected in our thoughts and prayers,” the statement added. . “May you find comfort and strength in each other as you deal with this great loss.”

Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.