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James J.T. Taylor

Gender : Male

Age : 15

Race : Black

Date : 05/23/2024

Location : 600 block of Davis Avenue

City : Des Moines

County : Polk

State : Iowa

Agency : Des Moines Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed in police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On May 23, 2024, at approximately 12:42 p.m., a Des Moines Police Department detective observed a stolen 2013 Hyundai Sonata near Ninth Street and Center Street. The detective "monitored" the vehicle as it traveled south through downtown Des Moines. Upon entering McRae Park, a marked patrol vehicle approached, at which point the Hyundai exited the roadway, maneuvered around the patrol car, and accelerated eastbound on Davis Avenue at a high rate of speed.
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Just moments later, officers found the Hyundai had crashed in the 600 block of Davis Avenue. The vehicle had struck a curb, left the roadway, and collided with a tree, resulting in all occupants being ejected. The driver, identified as 15-year-old James "JT" Taylor III, and two passengers, 18-year-old Jamarion Jackson and 15-year-old Eric Vortes Jr., sustained fatal injuries. An 18-year-old, Tarez Lee Matthew Williams, was critically injured and transported to a local hospital where he died later.
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The Des Moines Police Department's Traffic Unit is conducting an investigation into the incident. Findings will be reviewed by the Polk County Attorney’s Office.
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Casualties: Four fatalities.
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Last Update: 12/07/2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kcci.com/article/deadly-des-moines-crash-jamarion-jackson-eric-vortes-jr-james-jt-taylor-iii/60897447
https://who13.com/news/des-moines-police-release-names-of-3-teens-killed-in-high-speed-crash/
https://northiowatoday.com/2024/05/24/teens-flee-des-moines-police-in-stolen-hyundai-crash-and-die-after-ejected-from-car/