A Michigan couple, recently married, found themselves in a situation far removed from the anticipated honeymoon bliss. Instead, they were taken into police custody, charged with the death of their groomsman on their wedding day. The couple, James Douglas Shirah, 22, and Savanah Nicole Collier, 21, were celebrating their wedding at a pizzeria in Flint on August 30 when the tragic incident unfolded.
The groomsman, Terry Lewis Taylor, 29, was later found with severe injuries from a vehicular collision, as confirmed by law enforcement and prosecutors. A disagreement reportedly erupted after the wedding, culminating in Shirah allegedly striking Taylor with a large SUV he was driving at high speed. Taylor was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The newlyweds are said to have fled the scene but were apprehended shortly after. Shirah is now facing charges of second-degree murder, while Collier has been charged with one count of accessory to a felony. The shocking incident has left many, including veteran county prosecutor David Leyton, in disbelief. Leyton, with two decades of prosecutorial experience, expressed his shock, stating that he had never encountered a case quite like this one.
Following their separate arraignments, Shirah was denied bail, while Collier was able to post $1,000 of her $4,000 bond. The incident has left Taylor’s family and friends in a state of mourning. Taylor, a father of three, was expecting a fourth child with his fiancée, Nikki Robinson.
In the wake of the tragedy, Robinson has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of Taylor’s burial. In a heartfelt message on the page, she described Taylor as an amazing person who was loved by many. His sudden and unexpected death has deeply affected many lives, she wrote. Taylor’s obituary paints a picture of a man who loved fishing, riding bikes and four-wheelers, his music, his children, his family and friends, his dog Kodiak, and good food.