Martin County man killed while working on car

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

BEAUTY — A Martin County man died Wednesday, May 26, when the automobile he was working on fell on him, authorities said.

James Brandon Preece, 39, of Big Elk Creek, was working on the transmission of his Mustang, according to Martin County Coroner Chris Todd.

“He had it up on metal ramps and it rolled on him and pinned him underneath it,” Todd said. “They tried to get if off him, but he didn’t make it.”

Todd said he believes that Preece had four children and that his wife had passed approximately a year earlier from cancer.

“It’s just a terrible situation,” Todd said.

Preece is survived by his mother, Sarah E. (Hensley) Preece; his step-father, Mike Maynard; and four sons, James Shawn Preece, Chase Preece, Cory D. Preece and Brandon Kash Preece, all of Big Elk Creek.

Preece was a coal miner for 15 years.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 29, in the chapel of Crum Funeral Home of Inez with Michal Marcum and Terry Harmon officiating. Burial was in Perry Damron Cemetery.