Groomsman’s Tragic End: Newlywed Accused of Fatal Hit-and-Run
In a shocking and tragic incident in Michigan, a joyous wedding celebration turned into a horrifying crime scene. A groom, just hours after saying his vows, has been accused of intentionally hitting and killing a groomsman with his SUV.
Sudden Turn of Events
The Flint Police Department has reported that James Shirah, 22, and his newlywed wife, Savanah Collier, 21, have been arrested after a fatal incident involving a groomsman, Terry Lewis Taylor Jr., 29. Taylor was reportedly walking when he was struck and fatally injured by an SUV driven at high speed by Shirah.
The incident occurred on the evening of August 30, just hours after Shirah and Collier were joined in matrimony. According to the Flint Police Department, Shirah was charged with second-degree murder following the incident and is being held without bond.
However, the web of crime doesn’t stop here. Savanah Collier, the newlywed bride, has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to a felony.
The Tragic Loss
Authorities responded to the incident around 8 p.m., finding Taylor severely injured from being hit by the SUV. Despite being rushed to a hospital, Taylor succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Earlier in the day, police indicate that Taylor had been involved in an argument at the wedding reception. Shirah is accused of deliberately running him down with the SUV in the wake of that dispute.
Taylor’s fiancée, Nikki Robinson, set up a fundraiser to help with the unexpected funeral costs and spoke poignantly of the massive void his loss has created.
An Emotional Tribute
“He was an amazing person,” Robinson lamented in the fundraiser description, “This was completely unexpected, and a lot of lives are affected by this loss.”
According to Robinson, Taylor was not only a loving partner but also a doting father to three children, with another on the way, adding a more tragic layer to an already heartbreaking situation.
Although HuffPost reached out to the attorneys representing Shirah and Collier, no immediate response was received. The newlywed couple’s legal journey has just begun with a probable cause conference scheduled for September 12.
End of Tragedy
This shocking incident presents a stark reminder of how quickly joyous celebrations can turn disastrous. As investigations unfold, one can only hope that justice will be delivered swiftly for the tragic loss of Terry Lewis Taylor Jr.
