A Gary woman fatally struck her boyfriend with a car while he was standing in the yard on Labor Day, court documents allege.
Ashley D. Taylor, 34, is charged with murder, aggravated battery, causing death when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon and domestic battery.
Online court filings show she is in custody, held without bail.
Gary Police responded late on Sept. 7 to the 4400 block of W. 20th Place, records show. The victim, Chilly Cooper, 42, of Gary, was lying on the grass. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His death was ruled a homicide from blunt force trauma — the impact of the crash.
“It was an accident,” Taylor said. “I didn’t mean to.”
Multiple people appeared to confront Taylor, before police separated them, records show. A witness told police the couple were arguing for “several days,” documents show.
Det. Brian McCall wrote there was a “mark” on the Hyundai Elantra’s hood and part of the “plastic undercarriage” had broken off in the driveway. He saw tracks from the driveway into the yard.
Two empty tequila bottles were nearby — one in the car and another in the yard, a charging affidavit states.
Another witness told police the couple were arguing “about their relationship,” court documents state.
“(Expletive) watch this,” Taylor allegedly said to Cooper, just before the witness saw her hit him with the vehicle.
Taylor then backed the car into the street, the witness added.
In a police interview, Taylor said they were drinking tequila and smoking marijuana. Cooper got out to get paper to roll more joints, charges state.
Taylor claimed she didn’t remember hitting him with the car and that Cooper hit her in the past.
A court date has not yet been set.