On Nov. 21, just five days before the crash, police chief Bob Hale and his five officers resigned from their post. Hale announced the decision in a Facebook post, and said he left because of “repeated acts of harassment” and “personal attacks” on his character by a town council member.

Hale added that the council member cut the police’s funding upon assuming his position.

“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.