Guthery found not guilty of manslaughter in vehicle crash

Updated June 27, 2024, at 5:45 p.m.

CULLMAN, Ala. –  The reckless homicide trial of Tyler Jacob Guthery, 28, of Cullman County, ended early Wednesday evening with not guilty verdicts from the jury for the most serious counts for a 2021 crash that killed one person and injured another.

Guthery faced charges of reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and failure to yield right of way in a Feb. 20, 2021, vehicle crash that killed Rebecca Young Erby and injured David Helton.

Jurors found Guthery guilty only of failure to yield.

Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker told The Tribune, “My office prosecuted this case based on the tragic events of February 20, 2021, which resulted in the death of Rebecca Young Erby. While I may not agree with the jury’s verdict, I must respect it. We will continue to work through the backlog of cases we inherited upon taking office last year. Most importantly, Ms. Erby’s family will remain in our prayers.”