Family speaks out after loved one killed in crash linked to double murder

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A man charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder following a car crash in Oklahoma City has been released from the hospital and booked in jail.

34-year-old Aaron Taylor was charged with two counts of first-degree murder when he allegedly intentionally collided with a car traveling on Wilshire Boulevard near Kelly Avenue on September 12.

Marie Wooldridge said she was in disbelief when she got a phone call about the crash.

"One of Jonathan’s friends he worked with at Dollar General, called me and told me that he'd been in a wreck and that he'd passed away," said Wooldridge.

Her son, Jonathan, had just left work when he was hit by Taylor’s speeding car.

"All I could do is fall on the ground and scream and cry,” said Wooldridge. “I kept trying to run to the car after they told me he was still there, and they wouldn't let me because they told me it wasn't just a wreck. It was a homicide investigation."

Along with Jonathan, a passenger in Taylor’s car was killed. It was his girlfriend, Sierra Gamble.

Court records showed that Taylor was in a relationship with Gamble and that she was driving in the 200 block of Wilshire when Taylor reportedly forced her into his vehicle.

Police found her car still running, with the keys in the ignition and her cell phone left behind.

Police said Taylor then raced down Wilshire towards the call at a high rate of speed for approximately a mile.

An arrest warrant showed that Gamble’s mother called Taylor’s phone while he was driving, and he told her he had punched Gamble in the face. When asked why, court records showed that Taylor said, “It doesn’t matter,” and that he was “going to end this right now.”

The documents also stated that Gamble could be heard yelling “mommy” in the background. Seconds later, the call dropped. That’s when the police were called about the crash.

"[Jonathan] just happened to be driving down the wrong road at the wrong time," said Wooldridge.

Memorials mark the spot where two lives were lost on the road.

Tonya Brown lives in the apartment complex across the street. She can see the memorials from her bedroom window.

"I'll try to light the candles and make sure the flowers are good," said Brown, who also said she knew both victims and held a balloon release Friday.

Wooldridge said her son had started to turn his life around. She said he celebrated his birthday three days before the crash with his new girlfriend.

"I want him to be remembered as a sweet, caring, loving person who adored his family," said Wooldridge.

A memorial service was held for Jonathan on Saturday. If you’d like to help his family, click here.