Cops: Negligence in deadly car accident was really murder

NATCHEZ, Miss. - An Adams County, Miss. woman is now charged with murder in the death of a man run over by a vehicle.

According to CBS affiliate WJTV, authorities initially believed it the fatality was an accident. Alyssa Brooke Standeford, 25, told authorities that Kory DeWitt, also 25, was driving the car Monday and that Standeford was a passenger. She said DeWitt parked the vehicle on the side of the road and got out, and that she then crawled into the driver's seat to drive the car further off the road.

Standeford allegedly told authorities she only realized she had hit DeWitt when she heard him yelling.

Court records show Standeford was originally charged with negligent manslaughter. Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Courtney Taylor tells The Natchez Democrat authorities sought the murder charge after further investigation.

She declined to discuss what promoted the upgrade in charges. Circuit Judge Patricia Dunmore signed the order going along with the murder charge.

Taylor said investigators did not attach a first- or second-degree to the murder charge, leaving the matter up to the grand jury.

Authorities said the incident occurred at the house where DeWitt was reportedly living, and was pronounced dead at the scene. County Coroner James Lee said Monday he considered the case a vehicular homicide.

Standeford remains in the Adams County jail.