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Mum, 26, dies after being 'run down with car by ex-partner'

Tributes have flown in for a young mother of two who was struck and killed by a car allegedly driven by her ex-partner.

Mississippi woman Brittany Rhea Phillips, 26, died on Saturday.

Her 30-year-old ex-boyfriend, James Heath Kitchens, has been charged with manslaughter.

Deputies with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff Department were called to Riviera Road about 8pm (local time) following reports of an incident where a pedestrian was injured, US news outlet WCBI reported.

Ms Phillips was transported to OCH Regional Medical Center and was then pronounced dead.

Pictured is Brittany Rhea Phillips. She was hit and killed by a car.
Brittany Rhea Phillips was hit by car and killed by a car. The vehicle was allegedly driven by her former partner. Source: GoFundMe

Authorities told the news station the incident stemmed from a “domestic situation”.

According to another publication WTVA, Kitchens previously worked as a police officer with the Tupelo Police Department.

Kitchens worked with there from January 2019 until May this year, a statement released by the department said, adding no further information would be released.

He was arrested following the incident and released after posting bail.

Ms Phillips had two children, a seven-year-old girl and a 10-month-old son, according to a GoFundMe set up to help cover funeral costs and help her mother raise them.

Kitchens was the baby’s father, The Sun reported.

A mugshot of James Heath Kitchens.
James Heath Kitchens was charged with manslaughter. Source: WTVA

Ms Phillips’ children were her world, the fundraising page said, describing her as a “beautiful soul, inside and out”.

“She knew how to bring a smile to everyone’s face,” it said.

“She was robbed of life too soon and her family would appreciate your support during this traumatic time.

“Even if you haven’t met Brittany, or you know her from her modelling career you can see how loving and kind of a person she was.”

On the GoFundMe, people left tributes for Ms Phillips.

One person said they only met Ms Phillips on a few occasions and had spoken briefly on social media, though she clearly made an impact.

Pictured is Brittany Rhea Phillips in a selfie.
Brittany's children seven-year-old and 10-month-old were her 'world', and they will be raised by her mother. Source: GoFundMe

“But those moments I had the opportunity to meet you, you immediately made me feel welcome,” the person wrote.

“For your kind soul to have been taken this soon and this way is heart wrenching. My pray(er)s go out to your friends, family and those two beautiful babies you put your entire heart into.”

“I was moved at how hard working she was, with her own company, modelling, studying at university, working at the hospital, all while being a single mother to her two beautiful young children,” another person said, though admitting they did not know Ms Phillips personally.

“It saddens me they [Carley and Kaleb] will grow up not knowing how wonderful she was. My deepest condolences.”

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