Columbus Man Killed in Paving Accident

A man is now dead after being run over by a dump truck. It happened at around 1:15pm today in the 2600 Block of Lee Road 72. According to Lee County Coroner, Bill Harris, the man is being identified as 55 year old Ronald Taunton. Harris said Taunton was standing with his back facing the truck when it ran him over. Taunton was a 20 year employee of the East Alabama Paving Company of Opelika. The man driving the truck was a Lee County Employee; his name has not been released.
According to Harris, no alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. It remains under investigation by the Auburn Police, Lee County Coroner’s office and the Alabama Forensic Dept. of Forensic Sciences.