Teen Johnston Edward Taylor Charged With Killing Auburn University Sports Announcer Rod Bramblett And Wife Paula

A beloved sports announcer at Auburn University and his wife have been killed. 53-year-old Rod Bramblett and his 52-year-old wife Paula Bramblett died on May 25th after a big accident where someone rear-ended their car. Now a teen is being chraged for the crime. Johnston Edward Taylor is a 16-year-old Alabama native who is being charged as an adult and facing two counts of manslaughter. The teen was arrested on July 1st by the Lee County Sherriff's Office after the crash investigation and toxicology tests were completed. Learn more about the car accident that ended two lives and ruined another. Who is Johnston Edward Taylor and how did the accident happen?

1. Who is Rod Bramblett? 

Rod Bramblett was loved by all of Auburn University. He was the university's lead play-by-play announcer for the men's football, basketball and baseball teams. Bramblett was known by all as the "Voice of the Auburn Tigers". He and his wife were both graduates of Auburn University, so it was a special place to them that was dear to their hearts. During his years as an announcer, Bramblett won many awards. He was named National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013. 

2. Who is Johnston Edward Taylor? 

Johnston Edward Taylor is a 16-year-old who was charged with the killings of Rod Bramblett and Paula Bramblett. Like the Brambletts, Taylor is also from Alabama, where the accident took place. According to reports from WLTZ, Taylor has deep ties to the Auburn community and close connections with law enforcement. 

3. How it happened 

Heavy.com reports that the fatal crash happened just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. Taylor was driving southbound in the outside lane of Shug Jordan Parkway, headed toward West Samford Avenue minutes before the crash happened. While the Brambletts were stopped at a red light, Taylor rear-ended their Toyota Highlander with his Jeep. He smashed into the back right bottom of the SUV, pushing their car into the opposite lanes of traffic. Taylor's Jeep then hit a pedestrian crossing signal and traffic light. Taylor told first reponders that he had no recollection of what happened because he said he fell asleep at the wheel. 

4. Toxicology results 

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Traffic Homicide Unit determined after an investigation on June 28 that Taylor was driving 89-91 mph when the accident happened. The speed limit there was 55 mph. The Alabama Department of Forensic Science found on July 1 that Taylor's toxicology results were positive for Marijuana. However, it's unknown if Taylor was considered impaired at the time of the accident. 

Lauren Margolis is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture, entertainment news and relationship topics.