Police: Driver who hit, killed firefighter collecting for charity was mad over traffic delay

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Court records show a motorist accused of deliberately and fatally striking a firefighter with his car told police he was angry with the firefighters collecting money for charity and slowing traffic.

The Lansing State Journal reports (http://on.lsj.com/1Mn8go3 ) Monday that Grant Taylor told officers during an interview that he expressed his anger with firefighters last Wednesday on a Lansing street.

He added that their response to his frustrations didn't satisfy him. He said he drove away, then turn around and hit Dennis Rodeman — a firefighter involved in the conversation.

The 35-year-old firefighter was participating in a fundraising campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and International Association of Firefighters.

Firefighter Dennis Rodeman was hit and killed by a driver while he was collecting for charity. (Photo: Facebook via FOX17/Grand Rapids)

The 22-year-old Taylor was charged Thursday with murder.

The Associated Press left a message for defense attorney Stacia Buchanan seeking comment about the allegations.