Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012

BURKE COUNTY, Ga. -- A 24-year-old Burke County man is now facing charges for the March accident that killed his friend and injured himself and others.

Georgia State Patrol troopers said Robert Taylor was behind the wheel of his Firebird Pontiac TransAm when he lost control of the car and slammed into a tree on McManus Road.

David Jackson, who was also in the car at the time, said he and his friends were drinking before they decided to take a spin in Taylor's car at speeds well over 100 mph.

"We got up to 140, 150. We saw a sharp, sharp curve coming up, I said, 'Slow down, slow down, Billy. Slow down, slow down.' But he didn't," Jackson said in an interview with News 12 in March.

Taylor, Jackson and another passenger were injured, but 20-year-old Dustin "Tyler" Durham died at the scene.

Taylor was taken into custody and bonded out on Aug. 17. Deputies say it took so long for the processing because he was in the hospital recovering from severe injuries sustained during the accident.

Taylor is facing the following 10 charges:

• Homicide by vehicle in the first degree
  
• Serious injury by vehicle
  
• DUI (alcohol)
  
• Driving with a suspended license
  
• Reckless driving
  
• Failure to maintain lane
  
• Seat belt violation
  
• Open container
  
• No proof of insurance
  
• No tag

Have information or an opinion about this story? Click here to contact the newsroom.

Copyright WRDW-TV News 12. All rights reserved. This material may not be republished without express written permission.