Winstead sentenced in hit-and-run death

A man charged in connection with a hit-and-run that left a 2-year-old boy dead on Mississippi 492 near Union in late April 2021 was sentenced to serve seven years in prison last week. 

The man, Andrew Graham Winstead, 27, of 12371 Road 383, was sentenced on Nov. 16, to 12 years in prison with five years suspended, District Attorney Steven Kilgore said. 

Winstead was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The child, Nolan Riley Norris, was described by family friends as a lively, vivacious 2-year-old.

Kilgore said the jury trial lasted two days Nov. 8-9.

Winstead, 25 at the time of the accident, was arrested and charged by the Mississippi Highway Patrol with leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. The accident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on April 30, 2021.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol was initially advised of a fatal crash on Mississippi 492 near Union.

Reports indicated that Winstead was traveling west on Mississippi 492 in a maroon 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. An MHP spokesman said that the Silverado collided with a toddler who had run into the road. The toddler died as a result of the injuries.

Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark said his emergency dispatch records show that Union Police took the initial call. He said the incident occurred right on the Newton-Neshoba County line on Mississippi 492 outside of Union.

MHP said that Winstead returned to the scene of the crash, but after realizing that he had struck a child he left the scene.

Winstead was apprehended a short time later by a Neshoba County Sheriff's deputy and arrested.

Clark said that they received the BOLO (be on the lookout) call with a description of Winstead’s vehicle at 9:01 p.m. He said his deputy caught up with Winstead just minutes later on Mississippi 19 south.