A law enforcement investigation was underway into the death of a South Carolina mayor in a car accident

The mayor of a South Carolina city was killed in a car crash Tuesday afternoon, and authorities said he was being pursued by sheriff’s deputies at the time of the crash.

McColl, South Carolina Mayor George Garner II died after colliding with another vehicle in the town of Mechanicsville, South Carolina on November 26 at approximately 2:40 p.m. Garner was recently re-elected as mayor of McColl, a town of about 1,900 people. in Marlboro County, South Carolina

The South Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed this information in both cases South Carolina Public Radio AND Country newspaper that Garner was driving a 2007 Chevy Tahoe when he drove into oncoming traffic and struck a Volvo tractor trailer. Garner, who was the only person in the vehicle he was driving, was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The tractor-trailer driver, who was hospitalized in the same hospital, was injured. The South Carolina Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

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The SC mayor was chased by a sheriff’s deputy

Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee wrote Tuesday that Garner was being pursued by a Marlboro County sheriff’s deputy at the time of the crash.

“The pursuit was not related to any violations of any laws,” Hardee wrote in a statement sent to him Facebook page. “The pursuit was intended to protect Mr. Garner’s welfare.”

Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon said Wednesday WBTW13 News in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that officers were following but not “pursuing” Garner when he collided head-on with an 18-wheeler and died. He said deputies began following him after Garner’s wife contacted the sheriff’s office and felt they needed to check on Garner.

Hardee wrote that the crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Team.

Attempts to contact the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Police Resignations and SC Investigations

Last month, Police Chief McColl and four other law enforcement officers, the city’s entire police force, resigned, citing “unwelcome and malicious conduct” in a message posted on social media that has since been deleted, according to South Carolina Public Radio.

The South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement confirmed Wednesday that Garner remains the subject of an active and ongoing investigation, but did not release any further details.

This is a developing story that has been updated with new information.

Max Hauptman is a popular reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The mayor of South Carolina was killed in a car crash during a police chase