The man involved in the 2019 crash which took the lives of Auburn sports announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula, was charged with possession of child pornography Thursday.
The Auburn Police Department (APD) and the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated an investigation on June 7. Evidence led them to arrest 19-year-old Johnston Taylor and charge him with six counts of possession of child pornography.
Taylor was transported to the Lee County Jail on a $60,000 bond.
The Bramblett crash of 2019
On May 25, 2019, at approximately 6 p.m., Taylor, then a 16-year-old student at a private school in Auburn, struck the Bramblett’s SUV from behind while traveling on Shug Jordan Parkway. The Bramblett's were stopped at a traffic light at the time of the crash.
According to authorities, Taylor was driving 89 mph in a 55-mph zone. They said traces of THC were found in his bloodstream.
The Bramblett's were airlifted from the scene. Paula Bramblett was pronounced dead in the emergency room, and Rod Bramblett died later from a closed head injury.
The APD arrested Taylor and charged him with manslaughter on July 1, 2019.
In March 2021, Taylor was granted Youthful Offender status, which prevented further public inspection of the case record and reduced the possible punishment.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email will.blakely@1819news.com.
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