Man charged with reckless homicide in connection to 2024 crash

Video shows footage of the scene of the crash FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A driver now faces charges in connection with an 84-year-old man's 2024 death that stemmed from a crash in which the suspect allegedly drove more than twice the speed limit near downtown. Xzavier Thomas, 27, is charged with reckless homicide and two counts of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, according to Allen Superior Court documents filed Wednesday. On Aug. 20, 2024, there was a three-car crash at the intersection of Clinton and Williams streets involving a BMW, a Chevrolet and a Toyota. Two of the cars caught fire, and a man identified as Co Van Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene. Thomas and another driver were also injured in the crash. "Several callers and witnesses" told police the BMW - driven by Thomas - had been racing a Dodge through downtown, allegedly driving recklessly just before the crash. Thomas told investigators at the time he'd been "timing the lights," according to court documents. It's unclear why the investigation has lasted so long. It was a follow up - undated in the court documents - that contained evidence leading to Wednesday's filing of charges. At least four sets of footage showed the BMW on sections of Clinton Street in the minutes leading up to the crash and speeding through a red light. The Dodge he'd allegedly been racing could be seen on the footage slowing down and turning away from the scene of the crash. An FWPD officer wrote in court documents he calculated Thomas' speed in the BMW using the traffic camera footage, Google Maps data and a GPS measurement. According to the officer's calculations, Thomas was speeding 72 mph in a 35 mph zone at the moment of impact. Thomas' BMW hit a Chevy, pushing that car into the Toyota which was carrying Nguyen.