Teen charged with two manslaughter counts in death of Rod, Paula Bramblett; Excessive speed, marijuana use cited

A 16-year-old on Monday was charged with two counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Rod and Paula Bramblett, who were killed in an automobile accident in late May.

WRBL reported that Johnston Edward Taylor from Auburn was arrested Monday and is being held on a $50,000 bond. Police say that he was traveling well above the 55-mph speed limit when his Jeep crashed into the rear of the Bramblett’s stopped vehicle at a traffic light.

Additionally, a toxicology report delivered to the Auburn Police Department on Monday from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences concluded the Taylor was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident.

Taylor previously told police officers that he fell asleep at the wheel and had no memory of the accident.

Per Alabama Criminal Code 12-15-204, Taylor has been charged as an adult in the death of the “Voice of the Auburn Tigers” and his wife, who was also an employee at Auburn University. A mugshot was not immediately available.

High school sweethearts, the Brambletts both graduated from Auburn. They are survived by their two children, a 20-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.

A GoFundMe set up for the Bramblett children in the wake of their parents’ deaths has raised over $330,000 to date.

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn

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