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Columbus County man died in crash with HCPD officer, coroner says

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     An Horry County native most recently living in Columbus County has been identified as the person killed in a weekend crash involving an Horry County Police Department officer.

     Marcus “Mark” Gattis, 58, had been living in the Tabor City/Whiteville area before his death late Sunday on SC 9 at Hwy 66, north of Loris, Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden said Wednesday.

     Lt. Justin Jones, 44, of the HCPD was injured in the 11:27 p.m. crash.

     Jones was headed south on the multi-lane Hwy 9 in his department issue 2021 Ford Explorer when the crash took place, said Trooper First Class Nick Pye of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

     Jones’ vehicle collided with a 1996 GMC pickup truck that pulled out of Hwy 66, turning southbound, Pye said.

     Gattis died on the scene of injuries sustained in the crash, McSpadden said. Gattis was alone in the truck, Pye said.

     An ongoing investigation includes the SCHP’s MAIT (Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team), Pye said.