According to his obituary, Michael Anthony Crabtree’s life was characterized by an abundance of love, laughter, and a strong allegiance to his family, friends, and faith.
Known affectionately as “TC” by those close to him, Crabtree resided in Wilsonville and passed away on May 18 due to what was initially described as “a tragic accident while working in Atlanta.” However, this description only partially captures the incident, according to police reports.
On June 11, Portia Taylor, aged 30, was taken into custody and charged in connection with Crabtree’s death. The charges against her include allegedly striking him with her car as he crossed the street in Atlanta’s downtown hotel area, fleeing the scene, and then being involved in a second collision just moments later. Taylor faces charges of vehicular homicide, hit-and-run leading to severe injury or death, and driving under the influence of multiple substances.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers were called to the corner of Peachtree Street and Baker Street, where Crabtree had been hit by a car sometime after 6 a.m. Crabtree, 71, was pronounced dead at the scene.
During its investigation, police looked over footage of a 2013 Nissan Altima driven by Taylor that had left the Candyland strip club at about 6:26 a.m. May 18, traveling “at a high rate of speed” before hitting Crabtree, never stopping and going a few more blocks before turning onto Williams Street and getting on I-75/85.
According to map records, the distance between Candyland and where Crabtree was hit was around 0.3 miles.
Police say that at 6:35 a.m., Taylor was involved in a second crash along the interstate, where she was stopped and arrested. At the time, Taylor was charged with possession of marijuana, driving under the influence, and an open container violation.
“During her arrest, Ms. Taylor told the Cobb County office that she works at Candyland, and on 05/18/2025, on her way home, she struck a vehicle in the city of Atlanta, but because she did
not stop to make a police report,” an APD report stated.
Through further investigation, Taylor was linked to the crash involving Crabtree and was arrested June 11 as she left Candyland. She is currently in the Fulton County Jail on no bond.
Courtney Hall, Crabtree’s stepdaughter, said he meant the world to everyone he met.
“TC put a light into each and every person he met. He loved beyond what was thought to be humanly possible. He showed me and my boys what a true dad could be. He gave more of himself than he ever took. Most of all he loved and adored my mom as she did him,” Hall wrote on Facebook two days after his death. “I’ve said before and I will say it forever… never think it can’t happen to you. Tomorrow is not promised.”
A service was held for Crabtree on May 23 in Gardendale. A memorial is set for sometime in the coming weeks.
