Additional charges for fatal crash that took lives of 6-year-old and father
As expected, an additional charge of second-degree murder charge and amended charges for other offenses have been issued to a Waterford man who authorities said killed a 6-year-old and her father in adrunkendrivingcrashlast week.
Trevor Duncan Taylor, 28, now faces two counts each of second-degree murder, operating under the influence causing death and reckless driving causing death for the Oct. 14 crash on M-59 that killed Riley Melanshek, 6, and Nicholas Melanshek, 34.
Riley and her father were in a vehicle stopped at a light at M-59 and Airport Road when Taylor allegedly slapped into them at a high rate of speed. Riley was pron o u n c e d dead soon after and her father, who was in the driver’s seat, died
Oct. 17 from injuries sustained in the crash.
On Oct. 16, Taylor was arraigned before 51st District Judge Richard Kuhn on one count each of second-degree murder, reckless driving causing death and operating while intoxicated causing death for the loss of Riley’s life, and two felony charges due to Nicholas Melanshek’s injuries. The charges were amended and the other second-degree murder charge were authorized Oct. 21.
Jessica Melanshek, Riley’s mom and Nicholas’ wife, was in a vehicle directly in front of themwhen the crash occurred. She sustained minor injuries, authorities said. Taylor was also hurt and hospitalized for injuries describedasnot life-threatening.
Taylor is now in the Oakland County Jail on a $1million bond.
According to obituary information, Nicholas Melanshek was a comic book artistanda“wonderful stay-athome dad.” Riley, it states, “loved unicorns, foxes and video games.”
Acelebration of their lives is to be held at a later date.
A GoFundMe page is set up to help Jessica Melanshek with expenses. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than $59,000 had been pledged. To donate, go to https://www.gofundme. com/f/m59-family-loss-riley