On a tragic Monday, April 20, 2020, the life of 16-year-old Taylor Ronald Akin of Adger was cut short in a devastating two-vehicle collision in Jefferson County. The incident occurred at the intersection of 15th Street Road and CCC Camp Road when the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro in which Akin was a passenger collided with a Chevrolet pickup truck. The force of the impact caused the Camaro to roll multiple times.
The driver of the Camaro, a 17-year-old juvenile and friend of Akin, was found to be traveling at an excessive rate of speed. Investigations revealed the sports car was moving at approximately 115 MPH when it struck the pickup truck as it was making a turn. Both drivers sustained injuries in the crash and required hospitalization.
In the aftermath of the fatal crash, the 17-year-old driver of the Camaro faced legal consequences. After a review of the evidence, the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office issued warrants for his arrest. The teenager turned himself in to authorities on April 27, 2020. He was subsequently charged with manslaughter, with the primary contributing factor being the excessive speed at which he was driving. A bond for the manslaughter charge was set at $30,000, and it was indicated that he could face additional charges in juvenile court.
