HANCOCK COUNTY — The man accused of causing the two-car crash earlier this week in which a New Castle man died made his initial appearance Thursday, Feb. 6, in Hancock County Superior Court 1.
Iran L. Taylor, 22, Anderson, appeared before Judge Marie Castetter, who read Taylor his rights; went over the severity of the felony charges against him; and then set a $10,000 cash bond after learning about Taylor’s criminal history.
Deputy prosecutor Kevin Kelly told the judge that Taylor has an extensive criminal background.
That includes a recent criminal case in Marion County, where he’s facing five drug charges that include two Level 6 felonies of unlawful possession of a syringe and possession of methamphetamine.
Taylor was out on a $250 cash bond on those charges when the car he was driving collided with another car on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at State Road 234 and County Road 600E. A passenger in Taylor’s car, Reno Cook, 22, New Castle, was killed in the crash.
Kelly told the court Taylor poses a threat to the community, and he said even more charges are pending because two other victims in the crash — both of whom were passengers in his car — suffered severe injuries.
“There will be other charges as soon as we find out more information on those other two victims,” Kelly said.
Taylor nodded when Castetter asked whether he understood the charges against him and said he didn’t need a court-appointed attorney. The judge then entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Taylor has a pretrial conference set for Wednesday, March 11.
Taylor has been charged to date with a Level 4 felony count of causing death while operating a motor vehicle; a Level 4 felony count of causing death when operating a motor vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance; a Level 5 felony count of reckless homicide; and a Level 5 felony count of driving while suspended.
