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Detroit Father Charged in Romulus I-94 Fatal Car Crash

Prosecutor Worthy has charged Wilburt Dion Thomas, 47 (DOB:11/04/1970), of Detroit, in connection with a fatal car crash that killed his seven-year-old daughter. On July 15, 2018, on I-94 west of Inkster at 1:47a.m. it is alleged that Thomas was driving a stolen van under the influence of alcohol and marijuana with his seven-year-old daughter in the car. It is further alleged that he crashed the van into a disabled car parked on the shoulder of the road and struck a fence. The defendant allowed his daughter to walk away from the accident scene unsupervised. While the child was walking in search of help, she was fatally struck by another vehicle driven by a woman. The woman immediately contacted the police.* The child succumbed to injuries sustained during the car crash. Thomas was taken to a local hospital and later released.

Thomas was charged while he was not in custody with: Second Degree Murder 750.317 Life; Involuntary Manslaughter (15 years); Child Abuse - Second Degree (10 years); Operating Under the Influence Occupant ( one year); Controlled - Possession of Marijuana 333.74032D (one year); and Alcohol - Open Container (90 days).** On the evening of Friday, August 10, 2018, Thomas was arrested and placed in custody by the Romulus Police Department.

Prosecutor Worthy said," The confluence of events in this case caused the untimely death of the defendant's young daughter. The alleged actions of the father included driving a stolen car while highly intoxicated, having open intoxicants and marijuana in the car, crashing into a disabled car, and allowing his daughter to leave the car and walk alone across the highway to her death. This is a tragic and devastating case."

Thomas was arraigned in 34th District Court in Romulus on Saturday, August 11^th and received a $1 million/10% bond. His Probable Cause Conference is on August 22, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. and his Preliminary Examination is on August 29, 2018at 9:05 a.m. in 34^th District Court.

*The warrant request for the female driver is currently being reviewed, no decision has been made at this time.

**The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Defendant Wilburt Dion Thomas Charged in Livonia Car Theft

Prosecutor Worthy has charged Wilburt Dion Thomas, 47 (DOB:11/04/1970), of Detroit, with a Motor Vehicle - Unlawfully Driving Away (five years), and Larceny in a Building ( four years) in connection with stealing a van from a transportation company located in the 34935 block of Schoolcraft in Livonia.* On July 13, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. it is alleged that Thomas was an employee of the company as a driver when he stole a car key and took a van without permission from the company lot. During the investigation of the fatal car crash that killed Thomas's seven-year-old daughter it was discovered that Thomas was driving a stolen van.

Thomas was arrested and placed in custody on Friday, August 10, 2018 by the Romulus Police Department. He was arraigned in 34th District Court in Romulus on Saturday and received a $1 million /10% bond. His Probable Cause Conference is on August 22, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. and his Preliminary Examination is on August 29, 2018.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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