ST. MATTHEWS (WACH) - A small town police department is struggling to deal with the death of their police chief.
The Calhoun County coroner's office confirmed Saturday that a one-car crash killed 60-year-old St. Matthews Police Chief Capers Wannamaker.
Assistant Chief Lt. Andrew Hayes says the small department is having a hard time coping with the death.
"I've worked with a lot of different people, and I can by far say he's the best boss I've ever had," he explains.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the crash happened on Burke Road, south of St. Matthews. Trooper Judd Jones says the SUV went off the right side of the road, then went off the left side of the road and hit a tree.
The coroner's office says it appears Wannamaker was not wearing a seat belt.
Those who knew Wannamaker say he always had a smile on his face.
"This was a legend," says St. Matthews Councilwoman Eloise Guinyard. "He was a beautiful person."
A Highway Patrol accident-reconstruction team is investigating the crash.
WACH Fox News will continue to follow this story. Keep checking back for any updates.
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