Judge Finds Driver Guilty in Wayne County Child's Death

A driver has been found guilty of hitting and killing a little girl with his car.

A bench trial for Brandon M. Cornette, 29, of Inez, Kentucky was held Tuesday in Wayne County Magistrate Court.

Cornette was charged with misdemeanor manslaughter-negligent homicide in connection with the accident that killed 6-year-old Isol Colleen Newsome in July.

Investigators say Cornette was driving along Rt. 52 in the area of Laura Fork Road near Fort Gay when he hit and killed Newsome. The accident happened about 7:45 p.m.

According to the criminal complaint, Cornette told Wayne County Sheriff's Deputies that the little girl stepped out into the road and he wasn't able to come to a stop, hitting her.

Deputies say there were no tire marks consistent with Cornette trying to stop before hitting Newsome.

Witnesses told deputies that Cornette was speeding and ran off the right side of the road before hitting the little girl. The victim's father says that Cornette was off the road about a foot when he hit her.

Following testimony from several witnesses and Cornette, who testified in his own defense, Magistrate Judge John Cavins found Cornette guilty and sentenced him to 1 year in jail and a $100 fine.

Cornette’s attorney says they plan to appeal the verdict to Wayne County Circuit Court. The sentence will not be imposed until that appeal is heard. Cornette remains free on bond.