What was supposed to be the happiest night of his life turned into a nightmare that left a father of four dead — and a newlywed groom headed to prison for decades.
Michigan man James Shirah, 24, broke down in tears Monday as a judge sentenced him for killing his longtime best friend and groomsman, Terry Taylor, after drunken chaos erupted following Shirah’s wedding reception in Flint.
“I will forever be sorry. It was not intentional. That was my best friend,” Shirah told the court through tears during the emotional sentencing hearing. “I accept full responsibility for my actions that night.”
But prosecutors said the deadly crash was no accident.
According to investigators, Shirah had been drinking heavily throughout the wedding day when he got into an argument with Taylor outside the celebration on Aug. 30, 2024. Authorities say Shirah climbed into his SUV and drove away from the scene — only to return about a minute later and slam directly into Taylor, sending him flying through the air.
Taylor, 29, later died from his injuries.
The shocking tragedy devastated both families, especially because the two men had reportedly been close friends for years.
Taylor left behind four children and a fiancée.
During an emotional victim impact statement, Taylor’s cousin Eren Taylor described the horrifying moment she arrived at the scene and saw first responders desperately trying to save him.
“When I got to him all I could see was blood,” she told the courtroom.
She also delivered a blunt message to Shirah: “I hope they throw the book at you.”
Defense attorneys argued Shirah never intended to kill his friend and claimed the deadly collision happened in the heat of the moment. Prosecutors pushed back, arguing Shirah had enough time to think after initially driving away before turning around and hitting Taylor with the SUV.
Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Khary L. Hanible acknowledged Shirah’s lack of a criminal record, but said the consequences of that night could not be ignored.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal,” the judge told him. “You are, however, a killer.”
Shirah was sentenced to 30 to 45 years behind bars for second-degree murder. He also received additional concurrent sentences for driving without a license causing death and leaving the scene of a deadly crash.
Family members from both sides packed the courtroom as the sentence was handed down, with several people seen crying in the gallery.
Meanwhile, Shirah’s wife, Savanah Collier, also faces legal trouble connected to the case. She previously pleaded no contest to accessory after the fact and is expected to be sentenced later this month.
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