Herald Citizen …

Posted January 17, 2019 at 9:58 am

Friends and family are mourning the death of a Monterey man killed in a New Year’s Day traffic accident.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Benjamin Bohannon, 38, was killed when his car hit another vehicle head-on on Muddy Pond Road about 10:30 Tuesday morning, January 1. Bohannon is the son of Monterey Cultural Administrator Julie Bohannon and was a Monterey youth football coach.

“Our prayers go out to the entire Bohannon family for the tragic and untimely loss of Ben,” wrote Monterey Alderman Nathan Walker on Facebook. “I don’t know any words that can take away the grief of losing a son or a brother. I do pray that the family finds comfort and solace in the words of respect and remembrance from those in the community that knew him best.”

According to the report by Trooper Colby Huff, Bohannon was driving a 2003 Mazda northbound when he “crossed over the center line at the top of the hill” and hit a 2002 Chevrolet, being driven by 18-year-old Nehemiah Horst of Monterey.

The report says Bohannon’s car came to a final rest 23 feet south of the point of impact. Horst’s vehicle came to a rest on its top 32 feet away. Horst was uninjured in the wreck, according to the report. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and no drinking or drugs were involved.

“My heart is broken in two. The Bohannon family is my family too. Ben was one of my Bonus Sons, who loved me to pieces, and I felt the same about him,” wrote Terri Valaitis MCants on Facebook. “There are no words to help right now. Please just know that I loved your precious, fun loving, soft spoken Ben and I love each of you.”

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Cookeville Police Department has placed Officer Kyle Farley on administrative leave following his arrest in White County on Thursday, January 3.

Farley is charged with aggravated assault and domestic assault after being arrested by the White County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the arrest warrant, the incident took place on Monday, December 31, after an argument regarding an issue that took place before they were married. Farley reportedly struck his wife on the “left side, eye area.”

Farley reportedly struck his wife in the back with his city-issued stun gun. The incident ended after his wife reportedly begged Farley to stop. There were two juvenile boys in the home at the time of the incident.

“The Cookeville Police Department acknowledges the arrest of Officer Kyle Farley,” said Captain Bobby Anderson, CPD. “This arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the White County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Office of the District Attorney General for the 13th Judicial District.”

“Per departmental policy, Officer Farley has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation.”

District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the investigation was related to a prior incident that occurred with Farley and his wife. Initial appearance will be in White County general sessions court before Judge Sam Benningfield.

“It’s heartbreaking that something like this happens to one of our officers,” Dunaway said. “Thankfully it’s a rare occurrence.”

Farley has been an officer for CPD for four years.