Captain Lorenza Dorsey—Public Information Officer
UPDATE: July 1, 2019
AUBURN, Ala.- On Monday, July 1, 2019, Auburn Police arrested Johnston Edward Taylor, age 16, from Auburn, on warrants charging him with two counts of manslaughter.
The arrest is the result of the ongoing investigation into a traffic fatality that occurred on May 25 on Shug Jordan Parkway near West Samford Avenue. Roderick Bramblett Jr., 53, and Paula Bramblett, 52, died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Further investigation and examination of evidence to determine contributing factors to the crash have been conducted. On June 28, 2019, the Auburn Police Division received a report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Traffic Homicide Unit confirming that Taylor’s vehicle was traveling at an excessive rate of speed, well over the posted 55 mph speed limit, when the crash occurred. Additionally, on July 1, 2019, the Auburn Police Division received the Toxicological Analysis Report from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences confirming the presence of marijuana in Taylor’s system.
Per Alabama Criminal Code 12-15-204; Taylor, a 16 year old, was charged as an adult and taken into custody at his residence in Auburn. He was transported to the Lee County Jail where he is being held on a $50,000 bond.
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UPDATE: May 28, 2019
AUBURN, Ala.- The Auburn Police Division’s investigation into the crash that occurred on Saturday, May 25 that resulted in the deaths of Rod and Paula Bramblett is ongoing. Although additional information is being examined, the preliminary investigation has not determined that alcohol or distractive phone usage was a contributing factor.
A full and complete investigation including, but not limited to, the examination of crash and vehicle data, accident reconstruction, toxicology, determination of speed and / or other contributing factors will be conducted. The case will subsequently be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for review.
The case remains under investigation by the Auburn Police Division, the Lee County District Attorney’s Office, the Lee County Coroner’s Office, and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
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AUBURN, Ala.-On May 25 2019 at 6:08 pm, Auburn Police, Fire, and paramedics responded to a motor vehicle crash on Shug Jordan Pkwy at the intersection of W Samford Av.A 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee struck the rear of a 2017 Toyota Highlander.A 53-year-old male and a 52-year-old female, both occupants of the Highlander, were transported to EAMC by ambulance with serious injuries.The 16-year-oldmale driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee was transported to EAMC by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.One fatality has been confirmed but names will not be released until family notifications are made.The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Auburn Police Division.