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Diabetic Driver Blamed For Deadly Crash

By Jessica Taloney Reporter

Published: Wed, August 20, 2008 - 6:17 pm Last Updated: Wed, August 20, 2008 - 6:20 pm

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/17093/

Jessica Taloney

The family of a driver blamed for a deadly head-on crash says he may have been suffering from a medical condition.

Jeffrey Taylor, 51, was driving north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 when police say he slammed into another vehicle driven by Gerald "Bo" Skipper, 47. Taylor and Skipper were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators with the Saraland Police Department say Taylor drove the wrong way on the Highway 158 exit ramp to get on I-65. Then, drove 2 1/2 miles against traffic before crashing.

"The only thing we could figure was that maybe something happened with his sugar. We don't know," said Susan Pollock, Taylor's sister-in-law. Pollock tells News Five that Taylor, who had just picked up a cake for his mom's 87th birthday, was diabetic, and he may have become disoriented.

"Please convey to the other family that we have no words to describe how sorry we are that this all happened to everybody," cried Pollock, who says Taylor's family followed his wishes by donating his organs Wednesday.

Skipper's niece, who was a passenger in his car, was airlifted to USA Medical Center. Chrissy Walker, 27, is listed in good condition and may be released as early as Wednesday evening.

Two other cars were involved in the crash, but the drivers were not injured.