A tragic incident unfolded Monday evening when a Florence man was fatally struck by a vehicle on County Road 87, just west of Highway 20. Authorities have charged the victim’s brother in connection with the deadly hit-and-run.
According to Lauderdale County Sheriff Joe Hamilton, deputies responded to the scene around 8:00 p.m. on July 14, 2025, where they discovered the body of a male lying near the roadside. Emergency personnel confirmed the victim was deceased upon arrival. The vehicle that struck the victim had fled the scene.
Deputies interviewed a witness who revealed that the victim, identified as 27-year-old Perry James Crakaal, had been riding in a vehicle with his brother and the witness prior to the incident. An argument reportedly broke out between the two brothers, prompting Perry Crakaal and the witness to exit the vehicle and begin walking along the road.
A short time later, the vehicle—driven by Perry’s brother—returned and struck him before fleeing the area.This according to Sheriff Joe Hamilton.
Deputies soon received tips about a white Chevrolet pickup with front-end damage near County Road 15 in Oakland. Upon arrival, they found the vehicle abandoned and learned that a male had been seen walking away from it.
After a citizen report around midnight, deputies located the suspect—identified as Brandon Wayne Crakaal, 29, of Florence—at a residence on County Road 106. He was taken into custody without incident.
Brandon Crakaal has been charged with Manslaughter and Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Shoals Insider will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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