Family members say Phil Neeley's and Anne Price Neeley's story was a love story a long time in the making. The Neeleys, along with Phil's son, Matt, were killed Oct. 21 when their car was crushed by the impact of being struck twice by two separate SUVs.

A bond hearing Friday for the man charged in their deaths was the latest in a week of tragic events for the Denmark family.

"Anytime he brought her around, he would say, 'There is my beautiful wife, Ann,'" Phyllis Neeley-Parker said of her father and stepmother.

"It was like a perfect relationship late in life," Chip Price said. "I was happy for her."

That "perfect relationship" belonged to 74-year-old George Phillip "Phil" Neeley, 74, his wife, Anne Price Neeley, 70.

Phil Neeley's son, Madison "Matt" Neeley, 41, also died as a result of the crash. The trio were driving toward Orangeburg to attend the Orangeburg County Fair "to get something to eat," Price said.

But about 2.5 miles from the Bamberg County line, near the junction of S.C. Highways 70 and 332 near Cope, a vehicle crossed the roadway into the path of the Neeleys, investigators say.

Jimmy R. Taylor, 52, of Williston, who is employed by South Carolina State University, has been charged with three counts of felony driving under the influence involving death.

Wearing a black turtleneck shirt and sport coat, Taylor stood impassively as 1st Circuit Assistant Solicitor Brian Jeffries asked that a bond be set that would reflect the magnitude of the losses.

"He lost control of that vehicle," Jeffries said of Taylor. "The vehicle crossed the center line and struck the vehicle of the victims."

Defense attorney Brad Hutto said his client wasn't a flight risk and "would appear at his trial."

"He ain't going anywhere; he's a lifelong resident of South Carolina. He's got family here," Hutto said. "We just ask that you set bond, a reasonable bond."

However, Price, in speaking for the 10 family members present, echoed Jeffries' comments concerning an appropriate bond amount.

"We don't want to see another life destroyed," Price said.

Before determining bond, Orangeburg Chief Magistrate Willie Robinson asked if there were any blood/alcohol levels taken for Taylor at the time of the crash.

A preliminary report indicated Taylor had a BAL of .120, considerably higher than the legal limit of .08.

"A condition of his bond is that he not drive on the roadways," Robinson said. "If you can meet that condition, I'll set bond at $50,000 surety."

Hutto further asked that there be a 10 percent option placed on Taylor's bond, in effect making the amount a $5,000 bond.

"Any objections from the state?" Robinson asked Jeffries.

"Your Honor, I leave that up to the discretion of the court," Jeffries said.

The request for a 10 percent option was then granted.

After the hearing, family members crossed Ellis Avenue to the Orangeburg County impound lot where the Neeleys' vehicle was taken after the collisions.

The twisted metal and broken glass remaining are hardly recognizable as a vehicle.

At about 7:55 p.m. on Oct. 21, the fatal crashes began when the driver of an SUV traveling toward Denmark lost control of the vehicle. Investigators say that driver may have overcorrected and struck the Neeleys' vehicle, which was headed toward Orangeburg.

The first driver's vehicle went into the woods while the Neeleys' spun around, remaining in the road. Another SUV heading toward Orangeburg then slammed into the Neeleys' disabled Ford Escort.

Taylor was taken to nearby Bamberg County Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

Meanwhile, family members say Phil and Anne had been living without a life-mate until about three years ago when the two lifelong friends wed.

Price said the couple had nearly completed a river house in which family members were anticipating sharing holiday festivities.

But the Neeleys' holiday table will have three empty chairs this year with the losses, Price said.

And in spite of the heartache, the losses, they simply ask that Taylor understand the magnitude of those empty chairs.

"Everybody makes mistakes. It's a terrible thing; he made a mistake," Price said. "I don't hold anything against him. But I want him to realize what he's done."

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