Florence Man Charged with Manslaughter After Fatal Dispute with Brother

A Florence man is behind bars facing manslaughter charges after allegedly striking and killing his brother with a vehicle during an argument Monday evening. According to the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, 27-year-old Perry James Crakaal was killed on County Road 87, west of Highway 20, after an altercation with his brother, 29-year-old Brandon Wayne Crakaal. Authorities say the incident began with an argument inside a vehicle. Perry and a friend reportedly got out and began walking along the road. Witnesses told investigators that Brandon then drove toward them, striking his brother with a white Chevrolet pickup before fleeing the scene. Deputies later discovered the damaged truck near County Road 15 in the Oakland community. A tip led officers to a residence on County Road 106, where Brandon Crakaal was arrested around midnight. He has been charged with manslaughter and felony leaving the scene of an accident, according to Sheriff Joe Hamilton. The investigation is ongoing.