Four county chase lands couple in jail

Taylor got back in the driver’s seat and slammed the door, when a pursuit began down Ga. Hwy. 53 on Rockwell Church Road toward Winder on Jefferson Highway at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour, according to Smith. In Winder, Taylor reportedly took turns from Mimosa Street onto East Broad Street at speeds exceeding 100 miles an hour.

At that time, deputies were still under the impression that Shepley was being held hostage, instead of assisting in Taylor’s attempts to elude law enforcement.

“She was screaming and yelling,” said Smith. ““We were still under the impression that he is beating this girl up.”

Deputies who weren’t involved in the pursuit would later determine that Shepley had been trying to watch for traffic and tell Taylor where to go, said Smith.
Taylor and Shepley led deputies into Statham on Ga. Hwy. 82 and then onto Dials Mill Road in Oconee County, where the Georgia State Patrol picked up the chase.

Taylor tuned right onto Huntington Road in front of the Georgia Square Mall in Athens-Clarke County, turning right onto Timothy Road and onto Epps Bridge Road, before getting onto the Georgia 10-Loop toward Atlanta Highway and then tried to come down Tallassee Road.

The vehicle lost control and swerved onto Ga. Hwy. 82, when it overturned against a tree. Both Shepley and Taylor were transported to Athens Regional Medical Center. A trooper went with them to the hospital where they were arrested and taken to the Barrow County Detention Center, pending several charges with various agencies.

After finding Oxycodone pills in Shepley’s bra during intake, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office charged her with illegal possession of a controlled substance and fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Taylor’s charges with the BCSO are Violating Georgia’s Controlled Substance Act, obstruction, fleeing and attempting to elude police, no insurance, passing in no passing zone, stop sign violation, aggressive driving and reckless driving.

Assisting Georgia State Patrol troopers attempted to stop Taylor at Ga. Hwy. 1-29 at Cripple Creek Road, according to reported made by GSP Trooper Stan Staniszewski.

Taylor, at one point, drove his car down the wrong side of Highway 1-29 and then turned off onto Ga. Hwy. 82. He was finally apprehended off Timothy Road in Clarke County.

The GSP will charge with three counts of aggravated assault, fleeing and attempting to elude and some other minor traffic charges.