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. Hughes asked for bond to be revoked after Johnston received at least three tickets in November for speeding and reckless driving. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Lee County Circuit Judge P.B. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Lee County District Attorney Pro Tem Jessica Ventiere declined to comment on the case or motion. 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 Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. ", The following day, on Nov. 25, Taylor was cited by Auburn police for speeding and reckless driving. All rights reserved (About Us). The speed limit there was 55 mph. 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. 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. Johnston Edward Taylor (Source: Lee County Sheriff's Office) By WSFA 12 News Staff. He was booked into jail on Thursday, June 16th, 2022. Taylor was booked into the Lee County Jail with bond set at $60,000. 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. McLauchlin, a retired Dale County Judge appointed to Taylors case by the Alabama Supreme Court after numerous Lee County judges recused themselves from presiding over the case, documents show. Taylor was sentenced in 2021, but due to him being classified as a youthful offender, the details of his sentence were never publically released. Court documents revealed that Johnston Edward Taylor's 2011 Jeep Cherokee Laredo was accelerating from 89 mph to 91 mph, with no signs of any braking, at the time of the crash. The impact caused the Jeep to hit a pedestrian crossing signal and a traffic light before coming to a final rest. 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. Auburn police, Photo from Lee Co. Sheriffs Office An arrest has been made in the crash that killed the Voice of the Auburn Tigers Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula. 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. Updated: Apr. Johnston Edward Taylor, 19, was arrested on felony warrants charging him with six counts of possession of child pornography. The affidavit in the case released Tuesday states the report from ALEAs Traffic Homicide Unit data states that Taylors Jeep Laredo was accelerating from a speed of 89 mph to 91 mph in a 55-mph zone when the crash happened. The teenager who was sentenced for the fatal crash that killed The Voice of the Auburn Tigers Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula has now been arrested on child pornography charges, according to Auburn police. Like the Brambletts, Taylor is also fromAlabama, where the accident took place. Paula and Rod Bramblett's deaths are tragic but not a crime, lawyer UPDATE: On July 1, 2019, 16-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Rod and Paula Bramblett. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. All rights reserved (About Us). His wife Paula was pronounced dead shortly after. Alcohol was also ruled out as a possible culprit. It was just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 when the Brambletts were killed. A post shared by Rod Bramblett (@voiceofautigers) on Jul 1, 2015 at 10:46am PDT. He is charged with two counts of manslaughter and was being held at the Lee . Absolutely horrible news out of Alabama tonight. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Tommy Spina, a lawyer for 16-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor, told al.com his client simply fell asleep at the wheel and wasn't impaired before the wreck which killed broadcaster Rod. In an unfortunate event your identity was stolen, here are nine tips to help you recover your identity, according to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Please check your email for a confirmation. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Taylor was transported to the Lee County Jail and held on a $60,000 bond. Tommy Spina, who represented Taylor, said that the sentence was fair and balanced in light of all facts and circumstances.. The teen charged in the crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, is back behind bars. Monday marks a sad anniversary for Auburn University sports. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Rod Bramblett known as the Voice of the Auburn Tigers was the lead broadcaster for Auburn University athletics for many years before his death. Taylor was charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019, deaths of the Brambletts. He smashed into the back right bottom of the SUV, pushing their car into the opposite lanesof traffic. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The teen was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. You can cancel at any time. The impact caused the Jeep to hit a pedestrian crossing signal and a traffic light pole before coming to a final rest. The Jeep struck the Brambletts SUV to the right of center, according to the crash report. Teen charged in death of Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett, wife, now - al None of this justifies what happened; however, it does lend itself to treatment as a Youthful Offender.. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. According to authorities, Taylor was driving between 89 and 91 mph when he slammed into the back of the couples SUV. 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. The officer told Taylor he smelled marijuana and Taylor told them he had not smoked marijuana since May. Johnston Edward Taylor: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. The crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, was a tragedy, but it was not a crime, according to the suspects attorney. The judge noted in his order that Taylor had only had his drivers license for three months when the deadly crash happened. 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 . Update: Motion filed to revoke bond of teen charged in connection to fatal Bramblett crash. The 17-year-old charged in the crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, is being released on bond and into home confinement. He was held in Lee County Jail on a $60,000 bond. Investigators determined he had not been on his cell phone nor had he been distracted by an electronic device. Taylor was taken into custody and booked into the Lee County Jail. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences conducted a toxicology report and confirmed Taylor had marijuana in his system. The Auburn Police Department has arrested Johnston Edward Taylor, 19, on felony warrants charging him with six counts of possession of child pornography. The teen was observed driving 62 mph in a 35-mph zone on Annaleu Drive near Burke Place. New Details about Teenager Involved in Crash That Killed Ron and Paula THC is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana and is indicative of recent usage of marijuana at the time of the collision on May 25, the affidavit reads. That incident happened at 7:20 a.m. and the officer observed the defendant accelerating rapidly, the prosecutor wrote. Rod Bramblett was airlifted to UAB Birmingham, where he later died from severe head injuries. If Taylor makes bond, Jones said, the next step would be a preliminary hearing, which the defendant has the choice to waive or not. Teen granted youthful offender status in deaths of Auburn - al Rod Bramblett was loved by all of Auburn University. 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 Brambletts vehicle was pushed into the intersection and through the opposing lanes of traffic before coming to a final rest on the curb. The 18-year-old charged in the crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, has been granted youthful offender status. Motion filed to revoke bond of teen charged in connection to fatal 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. Officers found empty cigar packets and shake, small pieces of marijuana, on the floorboard. Taylors trial is set for later this year. Opelika police have arrested an Opelika High School teacher under a charge of soliciting a sex act with a student under the age of 19. Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes has confirmed to Alabama News Network that the $50,000 bond was revoked this morning for Johnston Edward Taylor, who, Photo from Lee Co. Sheriffs Office The teenager charged with manslaughter in the deaths of Auburn radio announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula was driving more than 30 miles over the 55mph speed limit and accelerating when he slammed into the back of the couples SUV. Now a teen is being chraged for the crime. He is charged as an adult. Judge revokes bond of teen charged in Auburn crash that killed - WVTM Taylor was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. It is unknown if Taylor was considered impaired at the time of the accident. Trial date set for teen charged in fatal Auburn crash that killed Rod The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. The video board shows the faces of Rod and Paula Bramblett during a memorial service celebrating the lives of Rod and Paula Bramblett, Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Auburn Arena. 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 . 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. See additional information. Many people have taken to social media to express their opinion about Taylor being charged as an adult. The teen's bond was first revoked in December 2019 after got two speeding tickets and one reckless . It's hard to find the right words. McLauchlin, a retired judge handling the case, issued his order Tuesday. Teen charged in deaths of Rod and Paula Bramblett has been granted - al If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Bramblett suspect loses bond, headed to rehab - Dothan Eagle Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Traffic Homicide Unit determined after an investigation on June 28 that Taylor was driving 89-91 mph when the accident happened. Johnston Edward Taylor, 16, of Auburn, was arrested at his home Monday on manslaughter charges, then taken to the Lee County Jail where bond was set at $50,000. 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. Johnston Edward Taylor is charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts. A youthful offender in the state of Alabama is classified as a person under the age of 21. In a preliminary hearing, the state presents probable cause to a judge. The status means the maximum sentence he can serve is three years while it also eliminated a jury trial. 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. A motion was filed in court Wednesday afternoon to revoke the bond of Johnston Taylor, now 18. You can cancel at any time. Teen charged in deaths of Rod, Paula Bramblett back in jail YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Go Fund Me account for Bramblett children has already surpassed $200,000 https://t.co/XOWboK2oUE. The Jeep struck the Brambletts SUV to the right of center, according to the crash report. It was one year ago that Auburn broadcaster Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula were killed in a car crash. "The Freak" lived up to his nickname Thursday night. The defendant received 60-90 days residential rehab treatment in Nashville, Tennessee and has been confined to his home since then by agreement to reset bond,' he wrote. Auburn police and the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force launched an investigation on June 7, Assistant Chief Clarence Stewart announced late Thursday night. An investigation also found the teen "was traveling at an excessive rate of speed, well over the posted 55-mphspeed limit, when the crash occurred.". Teenager charged in death of beloved Auburn radio announcer - Yahoo! Taylor, who is 19 years old now, was 16 at the time of the crash that occurred May 25, 2019. He was named National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013. Auburn police previously ruled out the use of a phone as a contributing factor in the cause of the crash and previously said alcohol was not a factor. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). 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McLauchlin granted the now 18-year-old Taylor with youthful offender status on April 13. He was charged as an adult, but Taylor was granted youthful offender status on April 13, 2021, at the age of 18, after applying for it in July of 2020. McLauchlin also noted that Taylor had been pulled over twice following the deadly crash and that his bond had been previously revoked, landing Taylor in jail for five days.