Somersworth man faces longer sentence after DUI charge added in fatal July crash

Scene of July crash that claimed the life of a young Rochester man; inset the victim Adrian Sharman, left, and Tayshawn Sheppard. (Rochester Police photo; Sharman/family; Sheppard/Rochester Police)

DOVER - The Somersworth man accused of negligent homicide in a July crash that claimed the life of a 25-year-old Rochester man has been indicted on a second charge of negligent homicide DUI by a Strafford County grand jury.
Tayshawn Antione Sheppard, 20, is now facing up to 15 years in state prison in connection with the death of Adrian Sharman, 25, of Rochester.
In the latest indictment handed down April 16 and released to the public on Friday Sheppard is accused of driving while having a blood alcohol content of .02 while a minor.

A couple of weeks after the crash Rochester Police said that alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, but it's likely that chemical tests confirmed the then-teenager had consumed alcohol prior to the crash.

Shappard is now facing up to 15 years in state prison.

The crash occurred on July 24 around 6:45 a.m. in the area of 78 Rochester Hill Road where police say Sheppard was driving a 2023 Acura Integra when he passed over the double-yellow lines as he was heading into Rochester, colliding with three vehicles headed in the opposite direction.
Sheppard and the other two drivers involved in the crash escaped with minor or no injuries.
Sheppard is currently out on PR bail with restrictions that he not consume any alcohol, drive a motor vehicle or leave the state.
According to court records, Sheppard was involved in an earlier crash in Farmington in August 2024, when he was arrested for reckless conduct, unlawful passing on the left and speeding, all offenses that were also charged in the July crash.