Fairland Mother Charged in Death of Triton Central High School Student

A tragic incident has led to the charging of a Fairland mother in the death of a Triton Central High School student who was involved in a fatal car crash just days before his 17th birthday. According to court documents, 16-year-old Nick Winter had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .136% at the time of his death on September 3, 2022.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has accused Andrea Talbott, the mother from Fairland, of being aware that Winter was intoxicated before he left her home. It was revealed that Winter had been staying at Talbott's residence on the night prior to the tragic crash.

Police discovered a video recovered from Winter's phone, taken just 26 minutes before his death. In this footage, Winter can be seen posing with a can of Twisted Tea while appearing visibly intoxicated with slurred speech and droopy eyelids. Talbott is also captured sitting next to him on the couch and smiling at him.

Shortly after leaving Talbott's home, Winter crashed into a tree on London Road. Although an 18-year-old passenger survived the accident, Winter tragically lost his life.

Investigations have uncovered conversations on Snapchat where minors discussed how parties commonly took place at Talbott's house and how underage individuals were allowed to drink and engage in various activities without restrictions. Additionally, investigators found evidence suggesting that Andrea Talbott purchased Twisted Tea for Nick Winter and even mentioned gummy bears soaked in alcohol through messages sent to minors.

However, it appears that Andrea Talbott is not alone facing charges related to Nick Winter's death. Charging documents reveal that Amon Nathaniel Ballard from Shelbyville is accused of buying alcohol for the underage teenager. Messages exchanged between Ballard and Winter indicate that Ballard agreed to purchase alcohol for Winter upon receiving a list that included bottles of hard liquor and five cases of Twisted Tea.

Efforts were made by the police to speak with Andrea Talbott, but she failed to show up for the scheduled meeting. Although a warrant was initially issued for her arrest, it was later recalled. However, Amon Nathaniel Ballard remains wanted on one felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

As this case continues to unfold, authorities are determined to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The tragic loss of Nick Winter serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from underage drinking and irresponsible behavior.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one was a victim in this or a similar accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

If you would like to speak with an attorney about your potential case, we can connect you with an experienced injury lawyer who will provide you with a free, no-obligation case consultation - an attorney who will advance all case costs and will not collect a fee unless they win your case. Click here to get connected.