16-Year-Old Arrested In Crash That Killed Rod And Paula Bramblett

AUBURN, AL - Auburn police have arrested and charged 16-year-old Johnston Edward Taylor with two counts of manslaughter for the crash that killed Auburn University radio broadcaster Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula. Taylor has been taken into custody and charged as an adult.

The incident occurred the evening of May 25 on Shug Jordan Parkway in Auburn. The Bramblett's Toyota Highlander was struck by the 16-year-old's Jeep Grand Cherokee. The statement released by the coroner's office said alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Investigators say Taylor was traveling at an excessive rate of speed, well over the posted 55 mph speed limit, when the crash occurred. A toxicology report also revealed marijuana in Taylor’s system.

He was transported to the Lee County Jail where he is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Bramblett, 52, began his broadcasting career in Lanett, Ala., working part-time at WZZZ/WCJM radio stations while attending Auburn University. From there he went on to work in Auburn at WAUD from 1989-1991 and then again from 1993-1996. It was at that time he did play-by-play for Lee-Scott Academy and Auburn High School athletics.

In the one-year away from WAUD he worked in Morristown, Tenn., for two different radio stations where he served as the play-by-play voice of Morristown West High School football. Bramblett is a three-time winner (2006, 2010, 2013) of the Alabama State Broadcaster of the Year as presented by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He was also named National Broadcaster of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2013.