Michael Taylor has remained at the helm of Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center as he faces charges for fatally driving into a pedestrian in January.
Taylor has served as the CEO of the federally qualified community health center since 2012.
In late April, he was arrested on criminal charges of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, failure to yield to a pedestrian, and traveling unreasonably fast.
Those charges stem from his allegedly fatally crashing into a 61-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran named Phillip Burleson at a Glastonbury crosswalk on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Taylor has not yet entered a plea, according to online court records. He was released on a $50,000 bond. His criminal case’s most recent hearing in state court took place in mid-May in Manchester. His next court date is scheduled for late June.
According to Cornell Scott Spokesperson Carlah Esdaile-Bragg, Taylor’s role at Cornell Scott has not changed. “The organization has no comment at this time. This is a personal matter which has not affected the organization,” she wrote in a text message.
Taylor’s attorneys did not respond to requests for a comment. According to the warrant, Taylor remained at the scene of the crash. At the time, the affidavit states, he told police that he had not seen anyone in the crosswalk and that he immediately braked as soon as he heard a thud and screams.
In an arrest warrant affidavit, Glastonbury police allege that yellow flashing lights at the crosswalk, indicating that pedestrians were crossing, had been activated; according to the warrant, Taylor said he did not see the yellow lights activated.
The crash took place at around 5:30 p.m. The warrant states there were three pedestrians in the crosswalk, with Burleson walking in the front of the group.
Taylor consented to a breathalyzer and phone search, according to the warrant, which indicated that he had no alcohol in his system and had not been texting or calling during the crash. He allegedly told police that he had a table reserved at a restaurant for around the time of the crash, but denied that he had been rushing to get to that reservation. Police believe he was driving at around 40 to 44 miles per hour, while the speed limit was 30 miles per hour.
Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison, whose ward includes Cornell Scott’s location at the Q House community center and who serves alongside Taylor on the Q House board, expressed wholehearted support for Taylor.
“Michael has been a very, very important piece of the Dixwell community,” Morrison wrote. “And so we need Michael. He is important to us. And so, whatever kind of support, anything that he needs, Dixwell has his back because he’s always had Dixwell’s back.”