Fayette County commissioners temporarily suspend A & E Towing from wrecker rotation pending criminal case

The Fayette County Commission voted to temporarily suspend A & E Towing from the county's wrecker rotation pending the outcome of criminal charges against the company's owner, Earl Manley.

The action followed a presentation by county staff describing an incident on Feb. 26, 2025, in which Manley, identified as the owner-operator of A & E Towing, confronted Fayette County Sheriff's Deputy Nick Hall while Hall was working a motor-vehicle crash in Montgomery. County staff said the deputy had been assisting at the scene when Hutch's Wrecker Service was requested by vehicle owners and that Manley later arrived and engaged with emergency personnel.

County staff summarized the account presented in a criminal complaint and a bystander video. The complaint, county staff said, charges Manley with battery on a police officer, obstructing and disorderly conduct; Manley posted bond and the charges are pending in Fayette County Magistrate Court. "Clearly, Mr. Manley's behavior falls into this category," county staff said when citing the county's wrecker-rotation policy language that allows removal if a wrecker operator "obstructs the emergency scene, argues or attempts to fight with any emergency service personnel at the scene of the call."

Commissioner Taylor, who moved the action, said the county should avoid permanent sanctions based solely on allegations but that a temporary suspension was appropriate while the criminal case proceeds. "I really don't like to take permanent action based on allegations," Taylor said, "but I do think we need to take a temporary action pending the outcome of the criminal case, and then we need to revisit it once that criminal case is resolved." John seconded the motion. The commission recorded affirmative votes and approved the temporary suspension.

County staff said a video believed to have been taken by a Montgomery fire department firefighter shows Manley wrestling with Deputy Hall and other individuals as officers sought to handcuff him. According to the staff account, Chief Paris Workman contacted Manley to respond to the crash; Hutch's Wrecker Service was taking the vehicles at the owners' request; Manley approached and repeatedly argued with Deputy Hall, then poked the deputy in the chest and resisted arrest.

Commissioners directed county staff to keep the commission informed about the status of the criminal prosecution and to provide data on local wrecker companies and the number of calls each handles to inform any further action after the criminal case is resolved. Staff said those statistics are available and that they would be re-sent to ensure all commissioners receive them.

The temporary suspension remains in effect until the county receives and reviews the outcome of the criminal proceedings; commissioners said they will consider whether to impose a permanent suspension or other conditions (for example, required programming) if warranted by the case outcome.