John Coffelt, Editor

Local business woman Phyllis Prater, owner of Prater’s BBQ, was killed Thursday Oct. 24 in Warren County in an automotive crash involving a fugitive of the law. 

According to a statement by Warren County District Attorney Chris Stanford, Prater was killed when the deceased suspect Brandon Thomas James, born Oct. 14,  2000, formerly of Murfreesboro was involved in a deadly collision following what Stanford called an evident crime spree. 

The subject, Brandon James, is said to have been involved in numerous  unnamed “Incidents of violent felonies.” Further details were omitted, citing an ongoing investigation.     

Stanford said that in a preliminary review, the officers involved from McMinnville and Warren County Sheriff Department handled themselves in the highest level of “expertise and integrity during a dangerous situation” that threatened the lives of those involved. 

The TBI and THP are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Stanford called Prater a pillar of the community.      

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.