Cops: Slow traffic angered driver in firefighter death

LANSING — Grant Taylor told police he struck a firefighter with his pickup truck after he became angry with firefighters slowing down traffic by collecting donations, according to court records.

He honked his horn and threw an apple core at Lansing Firefighter Dennis Rodeman before driving away, then turned around and ran down Rodeman in the street, according to testimony from a Lansing police detective.

The Lansing 22-year-old, who has a history of mental illness, is charged with murder, failing to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident causing death and two counts of third-degree fleeing and eluding in Rodeman’s death. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Taylor was interviewed by police after he was arrested, Det. Lee McCallister, of the Lansing Police Department, testified during a hearing last week that led to charges against Taylor.

He admitted to hitting Rodeman with his pickup truck and didn’t say that it was an accident, but also didn’t say it was intentional, McCallister testified.

Taylor’s court-appointed attorney, Stacia Buchanan, couldn’t be reached for comment.

According to McCallister’s testimony, after Taylor expressed anger to the firefighters they explained what they were doing and said they would appreciate any donations. They also told him they were moving out of the way.

Taylor told police that answer didn’t satisfy him and that firefighters had been mocking him, increasing his frustration and anger.

Taylor said he drove south on Cedar Street before turning around in a parking lot and driving back toward the intersection.

A witness told police he saw a white pickup truck driving northbound on Cedar Street and swerve at a firefighter, who was able to get out of the way. The witness told police he thought the pickup truck was going about 35 mph and accelerated before hitting Rodeman.

“At no time during his conversation did (Taylor) express any remorse. Nor did he ask the condition of the victim,” McCallister testified.

Taylor graduated from Holt High School in 2011. Al Slamer, one of his high school football and track coaches. remembers Taylor as “very intelligent” and a “quiet leader around school.”

“Grant was an outstanding student,” he said. “He was great teammate. He was a very good football player and outstanding track guy.”

Taylor enrolled in Michigan State University after graduation, but was no longer enrolled as of July, according to the university.

Twice since 2013, Taylor’s mother, Karen Taylor, petitioned Ingham County Probate Court to involuntarily hospitalize her son for mental health reasons, according to court records.

The first petition was filed in January 2013 after Taylor was found outside in 30-degree weather with no shirt and after he “threw his cell phone because he was trying to get rid of the past,” according to court records.

The second petition was filed in July 2014 after Taylor became withdrawn, hadn’t slept in several days, said someone was trying to kill him and would stare at the ceiling for several minutes, according to court records.

Four psychiatrists evaluated Taylor and diagnosed him with psychosis and bipolar disorder, among other mental illnesses, according to court records.

In granting the orders, the court found that Taylor could “be reasonably expected within the near future to intentionally or unintentionally” seriously injure himself and others and that he couldn’t understand his need for treatment. A psychiatrist wrote in 2013 that, at one point, Taylor stopped taking his medication and said he didn’t like the side effects. The court orders allowed up to 90 days of treatment, which included up to 60 days in a hospital.

Taylor was formally charged on Thursday and held without bond. He has a court hearing scheduled for this week.

Contact Matt Mencarini at (517) 267-1347 or mmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMencarini.

Firefighters from around the country and Canada are likely to attend Wednesday’s funeral for Lansing firefighter Dennis Rodeman at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center.

Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing.

The funeral will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Doors open at 9 a.m. The public should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will follow at West Carmel Cemetery in Carmel Township.