Case Dropped Against Mississippi Man Accused Of Killing Northport Native During Cycling Event

NORTHPORT, AL — Prosecutors in Mississippi have dropped the criminal case against a man once charged in the 2023 death of Northport native Marilyn Mott, who was killed while participating in a charity cycling event.

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According to the Greenwood Commonwealth, the Leflore County District Attorney’s Office filed an order of nolle prosequi last month, formally ending its prosecution of Darrell Sproles, who had been indicted for manslaughter in connection with Mott’s death.

It should be noted that a nolle prosequi is not an acquittal, meaning charges could be refiled at a later date.

The newspaper reported that Mott, 26, was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding a three-wheeler during the Bikes, Blues & Bayous event in Greenwood, Mississippi, on Aug. 5, 2023.

Mott was born and raised in Northport but was living with her husband in Cordova at the time of her death.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol identified Sproles as the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash and he was formally charged in October 2024 following a grand jury indictment earlier that summer.

The newspaper reported that the district attorney’s office did not respond to an emailed request for comment regarding Sproles’ dropped case.

The Greenwood Commonwealth also noted that Mott was the second person to have died in the 18-year history of the annual event, with the latest fatal incident occurring in 2019.

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