Brewton driver faces murder

A Brewton woman who was driving the vehicle on May 13 that veered off Old Atmore Road into trees that left a Flomaton man dead has been arrested and charged with reckless murder with Flomaton police saying the woman was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Emily Nicole Taylor, 21, 254 Smallwood Lane, was arrested by Flomaton police on the felony charges.

Taylor was behind the wheel of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu that left the roadway, crashed into trees and was engulfed with flames with Jacob Maulden, 24, of Flomaton trapped inside. Maulden was pronounced dead at the scene following the 1:27 a.m. crash. Taylor was able to crawl out of the vehicle and was transported by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and later released.

At the time of the crash, Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson said Flomaton police and state troopers were investigating the crash and once all the available information was obtained it would be turned over the district attorney's office for review. That information led to arrest warrants being filed against Taylor.

Court records state that Taylor was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident that led to Maulden's death.

During a bond hearing June 27, District Attorney Steve Billy told District Judge Eric Coale that Taylor was drinking and driving at a high rate of speed at the time of the accident. Billy also told the judge that Taylor was out on bond on domestic violence III charges at the time of the crash.

Billy also said that he considered Taylor a flight risk since she was arrested in Florida while knowing charges were pending in Escambia County, Ala. Billy asked the judge for a $500,000 bond and that if she is released she is not to operate a motor vehicle.

Taylor told Judge Coale her only income was $800 per month in child support and requested to have an attorney appointed. Judge Coale accepted her hardship application and appointed the public defender's office to represent her. Taylor also told the judge she had some health issues and the judge told her he would make sure the proper people at the detention center would were made aware of her health issues.

Coale then set her bond at $500,000 with the stipulation she cannot operate a motor vehicle. If convicted of the Class A felony as charged, Taylor is facing a prison sentence of 10 years to life.