He is charged as an adult. He said that was the last contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office had with Taylor until this week. Investigators determined he had not been on his cell phone nor had he been distracted by an electronic device. The Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. He said Taylor told authorities he was on his way home from the lake after spending the day with a friend and her family, that he was tired and fell asleep, remembered only a loud crash, his vehicle spinning and smoke everywhere. Authorities said the teen was speeding and tested positive for marijuana: https://t.co/eAJn7iSvFD pic.twitter.com/f9fjTjzlf8, AL.com sports (@aldotcomSports) July 2, 2019. At that time, he was transported by deputies to a treatment facility where he remained until Thursday morning. None of this justifies what happened; however, it does lend itself to treatment as a Youthful Offender. Youthful offender cases are sealed and the outcomes are not released to the public.Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said Friday that Taylor was released from custody in Lee County on Oct. 6, 2021, and was transported to Department of Corrections in Kilby, Ala. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences conducted a toxicology report and confirmed Taylor had marijuana in his system. The Alabama Supreme Court appointed retired Dale County Judge McLauchlin to preside as the circuit judge in Taylors case in November 2020 after numerous Lee County judges recused themselves from presiding over the case, documents show. He also was prohibited from use of any social media and must continue mental health and drug treatment therapy. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. "The driver appeared nervous because his hand was shaking,'' an officer wrote. According to Alabama law, a defendant deemed a youthful offender is considered to be guilty of breaking the Youthful Offender Statute, but not the crime they were originally charged with. Bramblett won numerous awards and was named National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013. The teens bond was first revoked in December 2019 after got two speeding tickets and one reckless driving citation seven months after the deadly crash. The results of a drug test were received from the court administrators office and were given to the defense and prosecutionat about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, and a motion to revoke Taylors bond was filed about four hours later, according to court records. He was held in Lee County Jail on a $60,000 bond. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. As far as any relationships or any rumors, of course, Im not going to get into that at all, speculate or make other comments, Captain Lorenza Dorsey said when asked specifically about the drivers possible connection to the police department. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Following the Bramblett deaths in 2019, the report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Traffic Homicide Unit indicated that Taylors vehicle was doing 89-91 mph and that he did not brake before the crash, according to court records. Taylor was driving southbound in the outside laneof Shug Jordan Parkway, headed toward West Samford Avenue minutes before the crash happened. He was charged with two counts of manslaughter in July of that same year, but a judge granted him youthful offender status in April 2021. Paula Bramblett, 53, was airlifted from the scene but had to be diverted to East Alabama Medical Center due to the severity of her injuries. Police say Taylor's arrest stems from an investigation by Auburn. A youthful offender in the state of Alabama is classified as a person under the age of 21. None of this justifies what happened; however, it does lend itself to treatment as a Youthful Offender., According to the police report of the crash, Taylor told officers he had fallen asleep while driving and did not remember what occurred. Opelika police began investigating a theft of property, second degree, which allegedly occurred at Best Buy located at 2147 Tiger Town Parkway. That incident happened at 9:25 a.m. During the traffic stop, Hughes noted, the officer smelled marijuana in the vehicle and found marijuana residue. What else does it take for murder. It was just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 when the Brambletts were killed. Johnston Edward Taylor is charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts. Teenager charged with manslaughter. The grand jury on Jan. 16 issued the manslaughter indictments. Auburn Police arrested Taylor on felony. We trust that in time there can be healing for parties directly affected by this terrible tragedy., Rod Bramblett wreck warrant: Teen was driving 30 mph over speed limit. The teen was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Traffic Homicide Unit indicated that Taylors vehicle was doing 89-91 mph and that he did not brake before the crash, according to the affidavit. He was named National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013. Authorities reported that reckless driving and speeding both contributed to the Bramblett crash. His arrest marked the first. Auburn police have charged 16-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor as an adult with two counts of manslaughter. An Alabama teen is facing two counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Auburn University sports announcer Rod Bramblett, 53 and wife Paula, 52. He was the university's lead play-by-play announcer for the men's football, basketball and baseball teams. Thats according to court records that have just been made public. and he is not allowed visitors outside of immediate family members. Paula Bramblett, 53, was airlifted from the scene but had to be diverted to East Alabama Medical Center due to the severity of her injuries. A motion was filed in court Wednesday afternoon to revoke the bond of Johnston Taylor, now 18. Taylor's Jeep then hit a pedestrian crossing signal and traffic light. Johnston Edward Taylor, of Auburn, was arrested on warrants Monday charging him with two counts of manslaughter, Auburn police said Monday afternoon in a news release. Teen Johnston Edward Taylor Charged With Killing Auburn University Sports Announcer Rod Bramblett And Wife Paula, A post shared by Rod Bramblett (@voiceofautigers), Man Tells Former Classmate 'You Probably Deserved It' After He Confronts Him For Being Mean In School, A Woman Changed Her Name In Her Fianc's Phone To His Ex's Name & Recorded His Questionable Reaction To Her Text, Server Says He Kept 'Rude' Customer's Gucci Bag & Versace Sunglasses After She Left It At The Restaurant. Heand his wife were both graduates of Auburn University, so it was a special place to them that was dear to their hearts. The Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/2021/04/28/johnston-edward-taylor-driver-car-killed-rod-paula-bramblett-sentenced/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The 18-year-old charged in the crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, has been granted youthful offender status. On Jan. 16, 2020, Taylor was indicted by a Lee County grand jury on two counts of manslaughter-recklessin connection with the May 25, 2019 crash that killed the couple. He is still facing another possible bond revocation. pic.twitter.com/aznYlISM0I. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Submitted by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Buc-ee's takes one more step toward its April opening date along I-85 in Auburn, Auburns Putt for a Car winner picks up new ride, The Graduate Auburn Hotel slotted to open in 2024 with 177 keys and rooftop bar, 'Worse ways to start': Auburn's big-swinging Justin Kirby has five hits and five home runs, Inmate dies while in custody at Lee County Detention Center, Big profits, big bills: Alabamians pay some of the nations highest electricity costs, Auburn AD Cohen: First female statue being addressed, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, New bar, The Saloon, opens in former Tacorita location in downtown Auburn, Chick-fil-A in Tiger Town is closed for remodeling, His leadership truly infused life back into this community: Cadillac Williams receives Auburn Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Auburn Award, Road family meets hometown family: Opelikas Addison Garner performs in Gogue Center with Broadways Hairspray, Auburn gymnastics meet at Kentucky postponed to Saturday, Opelika police search for suspects said to have stolen a wallet from a victim in Hobby Lobby, In three weeks, Opelika police arrested 14 people during drug investigations that involved fentanyl, Auburn police arrest Georgia man in connection to a suspected drug overdose death, Police investigation leads to arrest of Opelika High School teacher under charge of soliciting sex, One suspect arrested in connection to Best Buy theft that occurred in December, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza, Greece train crash: Public anger grows as death toll rises. Taylor -- then a 16-year-old Lee Scott Academy student -- was traveling south in the outside lane on Shug Jordan Parkway approaching West Samford Avenue in his Jeep Laredo. The motion to revoke the bond of Johnston Taylor, 18, came Wednesday after he tested positive for alcohol consumption during three different drug screenings while on bond in March, court documents show. At the time of the deadly crash, Taylor was driving 89 mph, under the influence of marijuana, and still accelerating, authorities said, when he rammed into the back of the couples SUV. The Opelika Police Department Narcotics Unit has made 14 arrests within a time span of about three weeks while investigating reports of illega, Auburn Police Departments Narcotics and Investigations Section arrested a Georgia man in connection to a suspected drug overdose death that i. Taylors drivers license will remain in the possession of Spina, and the teen is not allowed to drive. The Brambletts vehicle was pushed into the intersection and through the opposing lanes of traffic before coming to a final rest on the curb. While Taylor received youthful offender status after being indicted by a grand jury on manslaughter charges after the Bramblett deaths, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said that now that Taylor is 19, its likely he will be charged as an adult. He also chronicled facts of the case, which included that Taylor was traveling at 90 to 80 miles per hour and in the five seconds before the crash, the vehicle was not slowed or steered. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Contributed by the Auburn Police Department, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Buc-ee's takes one more step toward its April opening date along I-85 in Auburn, Auburns Putt for a Car winner picks up new ride, The Graduate Auburn Hotel slotted to open in 2024 with 177 keys and rooftop bar, 'Worse ways to start': Auburn's big-swinging Justin Kirby has five hits and five home runs, Inmate dies while in custody at Lee County Detention Center, Big profits, big bills: Alabamians pay some of the nations highest electricity costs, Auburn AD Cohen: First female statue being addressed, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, New bar, The Saloon, opens in former Tacorita location in downtown Auburn, Chick-fil-A in Tiger Town is closed for remodeling, His leadership truly infused life back into this community: Cadillac Williams receives Auburn Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Auburn Award, Road family meets hometown family: Opelikas Addison Garner performs in Gogue Center with Broadways Hairspray, Auburn gymnastics meet at Kentucky postponed to Saturday, Opelika police search for suspects said to have stolen a wallet from a victim in Hobby Lobby, In three weeks, Opelika police arrested 14 people during drug investigations that involved fentanyl, Auburn police arrest Georgia man in connection to a suspected drug overdose death, Police investigation leads to arrest of Opelika High School teacher under charge of soliciting sex, One suspect arrested in connection to Best Buy theft that occurred in December, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza, Greece train crash: Public anger grows as death toll rises. Johnston Edward Taylor, charged as an adult with two counts of manslaughter-reckless in connection with the crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett, had his bond revoked during a Wednesday. It was just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 when the Brambletts were killed. As terrible as this crime is, I have a problem with anyone under 18 being charged as an adult for any reason, Chris Wiliams commented. Sign up for the Auburn Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Lauren Margolis is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture, entertainment news and relationship topics. It was just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 when the Brambletts were killed. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He was then released from the facility in 2020 and his bond was re-instated with multiple bond conditions. Taylor asked if officers wanted to see it, and we declined, an officer wrote. At the time of the deadly crash, Taylor was driving 89 mph in a 55-mph zone, under the influence of marijuana, and still accelerating, authorities said, when he rammed into the back of the couples SUV. The court records provide more detail into what led to the charges against the Lee Scott . A toxicology analysis report from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences indicated a blood sample from Taylor contained THC. The 18-year-old charged in the crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, has been granted youthful offender status. Johnston Edward Taylor is charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts. Johnston had been without sleep for a period of time leading up to the day of the accident. She was pronounced dead in the emergency room from multiple internal injuries. After his release, records show, Taylor was cited by Auburn police, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The Opelika Police Department Narcotics Unit has made 14 arrests within a time span of about three weeks while investigating reports of illega, Auburn Police Departments Narcotics and Investigations Section arrested a Georgia man in connection to a suspected drug overdose death that i. As a youthful offender, Taylor had his range of punishment reduced to a maximum sentence of three years. Charges were not filed against Taylor until the crash investigation and toxicology tests were completed. Taylor was taken to Lee County Jail where bond was set at $50,000. Johnston Edward Taylor, now 19, was arrested Thursday on felony warrants charging with six counts of possession of child pornography. . This is undisputed., Spina said experts say that marijuana can stay in someones system for as long as 30 days or more. His wife Paula was pronounced dead shortly after. On Feb. 1, the Opelika Police Department began investigating a theft of property, third degree, which occurred at 2570 Enterprise Drive, Hobby Lobby. Taylors trial is set for later this year. He also waived his right to a jury trial for a trial by court, according to Alabama law. Thanks for ruining a kids life who is already traumatized by this terrible mistake he made. At that time, he was transported by deputies to a treatment facility . An investigation completed on June 28 by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Traffic Homicide Unit determined that Taylor had been traveling between 89-91 miles per hour, well over the posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour. Johnston Edward Taylor, charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts, had is bond revoked Dec. 18. Taylor told authorities he fell asleep at the wheel and did not remember what happened, according to the police report in the case. OMG so heartbreaking to read about this tragic car accident that took the lives of Paula & Rod Bramblett the legendary voice for years of @AuburnTigers Prayers go out to his family & friends plus for others that were injured . Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Lee County Sherriffs Office/Facebook Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Teen arrested for Rod & Paula Bramblett deaths. Additionally, the judge ordered, Taylor must follow a strict 14-day COVID-19 quarantine. Rod Bramblett, 52 and the driver of the Highlander, was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where he later died from a closed head injury. The teen's bond was first revoked in December 2019 after got two speeding tickets and one. At the time of the deadly crash, Taylor was driving 89 mph in a 55-mph zone, under the influence of marijuana, and still accelerating, authorities said, when he rammed into the back of the couples SUV. It was confirmed that the Brambletts were both wearing seatbelts. Johnston Edward Taylor, charged as an adult with two counts of manslaughter-reckless in connection with the crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett, is facing a another bond revocation after a . He has to live with this the rest of his life mentally and instead of therapy you are throwing A KID in prison for manslaughter. The Brambletts vehicle was pushed into the intersection and through the opposing lanes of traffic before coming to a final rest on the curb. Visitors in his home will be restricted to immediate family members. Rod Bramblett was loved by all of Auburn University. The Brambletts vehicle was pushed into the intersection and through the opposing lanes of traffic before coming to a final rest on the curb. Alabama News Network Staff. Due to Taylor being granted youthful. MORE ABOUT THE CASE:Teen charged in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett granted youthful offender status, BRAMBLETT:Auburn has lost its voice, but memories of Rod Bramblett will never be forgotten, At the time of the accident, the defendant was a 16-year-old teenager with no prior criminal history, who had smoked or used marijuana and had been diagnosed with marijuana use disorder, the order signed in 2021 by P.B. Johnston Edward Taylor, now 19, was arrested Thursday on felony warrants charging with six counts of possession of child pornography. Please subscribe to keep reading. Johnston Taylor, indicted for manslaughter in Bramblett deaths, jailed Thursday on child pornography charges. Rest In Peace to them but that CHILD does not need to go to prison, Abbie Newman wrote on Facebook. The Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. The teen was arrested on July 1st by the Lee County Sherriff's Office after the crash investigation and toxicology tests were completed. Johnston Edward Taylor, 16, was arrested on July 1 by the Lee County Sheriffs Office for the May 25 accident in which killed the couple. By Lauren Margolis Written on Jul 08, 2019. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Taylor told officers that he had hit a cat with the vehicle and it was nasty and he was trying to get it out from the undercarriage. He was also arrested in June of this year on six counts of possession of child pornography. Speeding and on a drug. If Taylor waives the hearing, it would go straight to grand jury. Court records made public Tuesday provide more detail in what led to the felony charges against the Lee. Rod Bramblett, 52, who was the driver of the Highlander, was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where he later died from a closed head injury. Paula Bramblett, 53, was airlifted from the scene but had to be diverted to East Alabama Medical Center due to the severity of her injuries. Monday marks a sad anniversary for Auburn University sports. He was arrested by police on Thursday. Manslaughter is the correct charge and if convicted he needs to do the time and have a Permanent adult record. Jeff Tommie Sartain posted. Tommy Spina, who represented Taylor, said that the sentence was fair and balanced in light of all facts and circumstances.. Like the Brambletts, Taylor is also fromAlabama, where the accident took place. That incident happened at 7:20 a.m. and the officer observed the defendant accelerating rapidly, the prosecutor wrote. The Alabama Department of Forensic Science found on July 1 that Taylor's toxicology results were positive for Marijuana. Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes is asking that Johnston Edward Taylor's bond be revoked since he has gotten two speeding tickets and one reckless driving citation since the deadly accident seven months ago. Johnston Taylor Taylor, 17, was charged as an adult with two counts of manslaughter-reckless in connection with the May 25, 2019, car crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett. Taylor was free on bond while charged with reckless manslaughter in the deaths of the couple. Rod Bramblett was known as The Voice of the Auburn Tigers for his work as a sports broadcaster at Auburn since 1993. While the Brambletts were stopped at a red light, Taylor rear-ended their Toyota Highlander with his Jeep. According to a police report, Taylor told the officer he was sorry and he was speeding because his girlfriend was having an anxiety attack. Lee County District Attorney Pro Tem Jessica Ventiere declined to comment on the case or motion. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Taylor tested positive for alcohol indicative of previous heavy drinking 1-3 days before testing, or recent light drinking within the past 24 hours on March 1, 8 and 20, the states motion to revoke Taylors bondstates. OPELIKA, Ala. (WIAT) A trial date has been set against the teenager charged with killing a longtime Auburn broadcaster and his wife in a fatal car crash last year. All results are indicative of previous heavy drinking 1-3 days before test or recent light drinking within the past 24 hours,' wrote Lee County Assistant District Attorney James L. Farmer. Rod Bramblett was airlifted to UAB Birmingham, where he later died from severe head injuries. Johnston Edward Taylor, the teenage-driver of the car that killed Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, on May 25, 2019 has been sentenced, per AL.com. Johnston was not impaired at the time of the accident, Spina said. The defense described the motion to revoke Taylors bond as a last minute hail Mary to try to put the defendant in jail and prejudice the court in its Y.O. Johnston Edward Taylor: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Auburn Police say theyve arrested and charged 16-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor with two counts of manslaughter for the May 25th crash on Shug Jordan Parkway at West Samford Avenue. Taylors attorneys filed an objection for bond revocation, claiming the request was a Hail Mary to put Taylor in jail and prejudice the outcome of the youthful offender hearing. Johnston Edward Taylors "blood sample contained THC, which is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, and is indicative of recent usage of marijuana at the time of the collision, records state. The Jeep struck the Brambletts SUV to the right of center, according to the crash report. Rod Bramblett always did. Rod Bramblett was known as the Voice of the Auburn Tigers. He served as the lead play-by-play announcer for the mens football, basketball and baseball teams.
