Court records made public Tuesday provide more detail in what led to the felony charges against the Lee. Bramblett won numerous awards and was named National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Like the Brambletts, Taylor is also fromAlabama, where the accident took place. The grand jury on Jan. 16 issued the manslaughter indictments. Taylor -- then a Lee Scott Academy student -- was traveling southbound in the outside lane on Shug Jordan Parkway approaching West Samford Avenue in his Jeep Laredo. 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 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. 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, McLauchlin wrote in his order. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. During his years as an announcer, Bramblett won many awards. 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). Taylors defense attorneys objected to the motion to revoke bond and said the positive results for alcohol were due to allergy medication the defendant had taken, including Nite Time, ZzzQuick and Allergy Relief, because of high pollen levels and an inability to sleep due to the PTSD caused by the accident and his depression because of the effect he had had only [sic] the family of the deceased, the objection reads. The impact caused the Jeep to hit a pedestrian crossing signal and a traffic light pole before coming to a final rest. He was booked into jail on Thursday, June 16th, 2022. He also was prohibited from use of any social media and must continue mental health and drug treatment therapy. Johnston Edward Taylor, charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts, had is bond revoked Dec. 18. Taylor was booked into the Lee County Jail with bond set at $60,000. Taylors previous bond was revoked in December 2019 due to traffic citations for speeding and reckless driving he was issued in November 2019. Police said the arrest stems from an investigation that began on June 7 and was initiated by the APD and members of the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Lee County Circuit Judge P.B. Teen charged in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett granted youthful offender status, Auburn has lost its voice, but memories of Rod Bramblett will never be forgotten, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Rod Bramblett was known as The Voice of the Auburn Tigers for his work as a sports broadcaster at Auburn since 1993. 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. 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. Would love your thoughts, please comment. By Lauren Margolis Written on Jul 08, 2019. After his release, records show, Taylor was cited by Auburn police, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Taylor was taken to Lee County Jail where bond was set at $50,000. Tommy Spina, who represented Taylor, said that the sentence was fair and balanced in light of all facts and circumstances.. He was held in Lee County Jail on a $60,000 bond. 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. Johnston was not impaired at the time of the accident, Spina said. Lauren Margolis is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture, entertainment news and relationship topics. Go Fund Me account for Bramblett children has already surpassed $200,000 https://t.co/XOWboK2oUE. The teen was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. 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. The Jeep struck the Brambletts SUV to the right of center, according to the crash report. The family of the Auburn teen retained . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Please subscribe to keep reading. No additional details about the alleged crimes have yet been made public. ", The following day, on Nov. 25, Taylor was cited by Auburn police for speeding and reckless driving. Investigators determined he had not been on his cell phone nor had he been distracted by an electronic device. First and foremost, there are no words that I could say, on behalf of my client and his family that would adequately express the remorse and contrition that this child and his family feel for the loss caused to the Bramblett family as a result of this tragic accident, Spina said. The teen was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The 18-year-old charged in the crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, has been granted youthful offender status. In a preliminary hearing, the state presents probable cause to a judge. The teen was observed driving 62 mph in a 35-mph zone on Annaleu Drive near Burke Place. The teenager involved in the crash that killed Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, has been arrested. The teen was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The posted speed limit for the section of Shug Jordan Parkway where the crash occurred was 55 mph. There was no braking, according to the report. According to WRBL, hundreds of members from the Auburn community attended the May 30 Celebration of Life service for the Brambletts. 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. A GoFundMe page was created to help the couples two children, Shelby, and Joshua, move forward with lifes expenses. Shelby, 20, is a sophomore at Auburn University and Joshua, 15, will be entering the tenth grade at Auburn High School in the fall. Additionally, the judge ordered, Taylor must follow a strict 14-day COVID-19 quarantine. Johnston Edward Taylor (Source: Lee County Sheriff's Office) By WSFA 12 News Staff. The order granting Taylor youthful offender status was signed by Judge P.B. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. There was a problem saving your notification. Authorities reported that reckless driving and speeding both contributed to the Bramblett crash. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. According to an order issued by Circuit Judge Jacob Walker III, attorney Tommy Spina and Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes agreed on terms of Taylors release. After his release, records show, Taylor was cited by Auburn police on Nov. 24 for driving 68 mph in a 45-mph zone on South College Street near the intersection of South Donahue Drive. Latest news and commentary on Johnston Edward Taylor including photos, videos, quotations, and a biography. Learn more about the car accident that ended two lives and ruined another. Alcohol was also ruled out as a possible culprit. All rights reserved (About Us). However, Alabama law says once a person reaches the age of 18 theyre considered an adult in regard to criminal prosecution.. 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. He smashed into the back right bottom of the SUV, pushing their car into the opposite lanesof traffic. He is young, but should have been responsible, Patti Vines Bauer wrote. He did not drink at the lake and he did not partake of marijuana while at the lake. Johnston Edward Taylor is charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Auburn Police Division said in a statement that Johnston Edward Taylor of Auburn was arrested at his home on Monday. 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. At that time, he was transported by deputies to a treatment facility . The teen was arrested on July 1st by the Lee County Sherriff's Office after the crash investigation and toxicology tests were completed. Taylors case will be in the Lee County system and would go to the district court for a preliminary hearing. RIP To Rod Bramblett, The Voice Of Auburn And The Greatest Call In CFB Historyhttps://t.co/vMqxX56Wa6 pic.twitter.com/0tM5whBdyS, Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) 27 de mayo de 2019. Yes the situation is so sad. Many people have taken to social media to express their opinion about Taylor being charged as an adult. 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. Thoughts and prayers? 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. Like the Brambletts, Taylor is also from Alabama, where the accident took. The impact caused the Jeep to hit a pedestrian crossing signal and a traffic light before coming to a final rest. Rod Bramblett was loved by all of Auburn University. Johnston Edward Taylor, charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts, had is bond revoked Dec. 18. Charges against Johnston Edward Taylor, 16, were announced by Auburn police Monday. He also is prohibited from use of any social media and must continue mental health and drug treatment therapy. 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 . Circuit Judge Jacob Walker says because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he is reinstating bond for 17-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor. The youthful offender status will eliminate a jury trial, if there is a trial, and the range of punishment goes from two to 20 years had he been tried as an adult to zero to three years maximum. According to authorities, Taylor was driving between 89 and 91 mph when he slammed into the back of the couples SUV. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Birmingham attorney Tommy Spina has been retained to represent Taylor and spoke with AL.com on Wednesday evening. Taylor's Jeep then hit a pedestrian crossing signal and traffic light. 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). Paula Bramblett was airlifted to East Alabama Medical Center, suffering from extensive internal injuries. 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). The Jeep struck the Brambletts SUV to the right of center, according to the crash report. 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 objection said the state insisted on a surprise drug screening at Taylors youthful offender hearing that began Tuesday, and the results came back negative for both drugs and alcohol. As my client has said consistently since his hospitalization, when questioned by law enforcement, and again after his arrest, without a parent present, he simply fell asleep at the wheel.. {{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. He also passed all drug except recently in March 2021 when he tested positive for alcohol. Youth offender cases are sealed, so the outcome of that case is not made public. While the Brambletts were stopped at a red light, Taylor rear-ended their Toyota Highlander with his Jeep. Police this week announced that 16-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor, a Lee Scott Academy high school student, was charged with two counts of manslaughter in the May 25 deaths. Updated: Jul 1, 2019 5:37 PM CDT. He is charged with two counts of manslaughter and was being held at the Lee . (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Charging documents also state that the Toxicological Analysis Report of Taylors blood sample from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences indicated that 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.. It was just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 when the Brambletts were killed. According to the newest bond revocation request, which is still pending, Taylor had positive screens for alcohol on March 1, March 18, and March 20 of this year. At the age of 16, Taylor was the. 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. The teen charged in the crash that killed Auburn announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, is back behind bars. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Within the Auburn community, theres been a mixed response concerning Taylors arrest. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 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. 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. The Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. All rights reserved (About Us). The deadly crash happened on Shug Jordan Parkway at the intersection of West Samford Avenue. The Auburn teen charged in connection with the deaths of Rod and Paula Bramblett in a vehicle crash when he was 16 years old is facing having his bond revoked a second time. The impact caused the Jeep to hit a pedestrian and a traffic light pole before coming to a final rest. She was pronounced dead in the emergency room from multiple internal injuries. More than $331,000 has been collected. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences conducted a toxicology report and confirmed Taylor had marijuana in his system. Taylor was sentenced in 2021, but due to him being classified as a youthful offender, the details of his sentence were never publically released. Johnston Edward Taylor is charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts. 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. He was also arrested in June of this year on six counts of possession of child pornography. It's hard to find the right words. The Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. They were both airlifted to UAB. Lee County Sherriffs Office/Facebook None of this justifies what happened; however, it does lend itself to treatment as a Youthful Offender.. According to. She was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 7:50 p.m. Taylor was also treated at East Alabama Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. 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. Under the conditions, Taylor must remain on 24/7 lockdown as his mothers home and must wear an ankle monitor. The Brambletts vehicle was pushed into the intersection and through the opposing lanes of traffic before coming to a final rest on the curb. Opelika police began investigating a theft of property, second degree, which allegedly occurred at Best Buy located at 2147 Tiger Town Parkway. Taylor thanked me for writing him a citation and was released from the scene. Taylor was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. 0:00 5:34 AUBURN Johnston Edward Taylor, the teen charged in the 2019 crash that killed Auburn radio broadcaster Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, was admitted to Lee County Jail on. Taylor told police that he fell asleep while driving and did not remember what happened, according to the traffic-crash report. The Brambletts, in a 2017 Toyota Highlander, were stopped in the southbound outside lane of Shug Jordan parkway at a traffic light. A private burial service for the Bramblett family followed the memorial. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He was initially released on $50,000 bond. Taylor was taken into custody and booked into the Lee County Jail. 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. Taylor told the officer he was the person who accidentally crashed into the Brambletts. He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Taylor was driving southbound in the outside laneof Shug Jordan Parkway, headed toward West Samford Avenue minutes before the crash happened. 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. Johnston Edward Taylor is a 16-year-old who was charged with the killings of Rod Bramblett and Paula Bramblett. Auburn police and the Alabama Internet Crimes Against. 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. 53-year-old RodBramblett and his 52-year-old wife Paula Bramblett diedon May 25th after a big accident where someonerear-ended their car. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The applicant also waives their right to a jury trial for a trial by court, according to Alabama law.. Rod Bramblett always did. Johnston Edward Taylor, 16, was arrested on July 1, 2019 and charged with two counts of manslaughter involving the deaths of Auburn University sports announcer Rod Bramblett, 53 and wife Paula, 52. Charged with manslaughter on the same day as the accident, Taylor was driving a Jeep Laredo at a speed of upwards of 90 mph when he struck the Brambletts in the southbound lane of Shug Jordan Parkway at the West Samford Avenue intersection. Rest In Peace to them but that CHILD does not need to go to prison, Abbie Newman wrote on Facebook. Johnston Edward Taylor is charged with manslaughter in the May 25, 2019 deaths of the Brambletts. Taylor told first reponders that he had no recollection of what happened because he said he fell asleep at the wheel. He was held on a $50,000 bond but has since been released. All rights reserved (About Us). Taylor told police that he fell asleep while driving and did not remember what happened, according to the traffic-crash report.