BEAUMONT, Texas — A Winnie man pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter and accident involving death charges stemming from a 2023 hit-and-run crash that killed a Lamar University theater department technical director.

Tristen Kelly Dunnam, 22, entered guilty pleas to both charges under an agreement that calls for three years in prison followed by 10 years on probation. As a condition of probation, Dunnam must pay child support until the victim's child turns 19.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story did not include the three years prison time.)

Dunnam had faced two to 20 years in prison on each charge if convicted at trial. Judge Stevens ordered a pre-sentencing report before imposing the sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026.

The charges stem from a Aug. 12, 2023

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