Watch arraignment of man charged with murdering Firefighter Dennis Rodeman at MDA road block
The man accused of killing a Lansing firefighter in a hit-and-run crash on Wednesday was arraigned in court on Thursday.
Grant Taylor, 22, is charged with open murder, failing to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident causing death, and two counts of fleeing and eluding.
Dennis Rodeman was hit at the intersection of Cedar Street and Jolly Road, west of Michigan State University. Other firefighters on the scene for the fundraiser rushed to help him, but the seven-year veteran was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Rodeman was 35 years old.
Lansing Fire Department website – Facebook page
City of Lansing’s GoFundMe account for Dennis Rodeman’s family
Police say Taylor, the driver, fled and was arrested after a vehicle and then foot chase.
Michigan State Police records show no criminal history for Taylor prior to this case. There is a pickup truck registered in his name. His driving record includes a couple of speeding tickets, a citation in December 2011 for failure to stop causing a two-vehicle, non-injury accident, and a citation in August of this year for not having proof of insurance.
A judge denied Taylor bond at Thursday’s arraignment, which means he’ll remain behind bars.
Taylor is charged with open murder, failing to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault causing death and two counts of fleeing and eluding (third degree).
He said he doesn’t want an attorney, but Magistrate Millmore said Taylor needs one. In court Magistrate Millmore brought up two parking tickets Taylor has.
Taylor’s bond has been denied.
Police said he was wearing turnout gear and a reflective vest while collecting money. Rodeman was in a center turn lane near the intersection of Cedar Street and Jolly Road when he was hit, police said.
There was an exchange of words between Taylor and Rodeman, police said, before Taylor drove away, turned his pickup truck around and struck Rodeman.
Police declined to provide details on what the verbal exchange might have been about or for how long it lasted.
