Driver acquitted of manslaughter in Shelby County 10-year-old’s death sentenced for drugs
John David Winton, convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, was sentenced to 12 months to serve in the county jail.
Mason Reed 
A 47-year-old man previously acquitted of manslaughter in connection with the 2024 death of a Shelby County fifth grader is heading to jail on drug charges.
Earlier this year, a Shelby County jury found John David Winton not guilty of manslaughter in the death of 10-year-old Ember Poe. Following that verdict, Winton faced separate charges, resulting in a conviction for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sentencing Details
Circuit Judge Jonathan Spann sentenced Winton on Tuesday to a total of 32 months, with 12 months to be served in the Shelby County Jail. Winton was represented during the proceedings by attorneys Zander Carrie, Whitney Polson, and William Rayborn.
Background of the Case
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, while Ember was riding her scooter. The crash took place around 5:15 p.m. in the 300 block of Spring Creek Road. Ember was transported to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, where she was pronounced dead on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The Shelby County Traffic Homicide Task Force led the investigation into the crash. While authorities alleged in charging documents that Winton was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the incident, his defense team maintained there was no evidence of drugs in his system at the moment the collision occurred.
Court records indicate that Winton was arrested three days after the fatal crash for possession of cocaine and a glass pipe containing burned residue. Beyond these criminal proceedings, the family of Ember Poe has initiated a civil lawsuit against Winton and other parties.
