DALLAS, Texas — Home security video recorded an overnight suspected car thief crashing and killing an innocent backseat passenger.
The car owner called 911 for help and shared that a woman was asleep in her car when it was taken. The man driving the car hit high speeds, lost control, and crashed in front of the family home of Mireya Diaz. One of her young relatives quickly tried to help after hearing the crash.
"She actually ran out here to render aid, and unfortunately the lady had already passed away and the guy was still alive," said Diaz.
The man was alive but injured. Dallas Police identified him as 26-year-old Darion Thomas saying he told Diaz's family what happened and about his injuries in the 1300 block of Murdock Road.
"The guy, he had a broken leg or something," said Diaz.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, around 1 a.m. on Sunday, the owner of the vehicle told police she and her husband parked the car outside of a gas station and went inside, as the victim stayed lying in the backseat of the car. Their passenger, a 31-year-old woman, woke up and confronted the car thief.
Court documents say he was driving excessively fast, lost control, and hit a power pole "causing a catastrophic crash," the affidavit said, and ejecting the victim from the car. Diaz and her family could not believe their eyes looking at the wreckage in front of their house.
"Pretty much half of the car was gone," said Diaz, "The whole back of the car. There were pieces everywhere, debris out here in the street."
Court documents also say witnesses saw Thomas crawling away from the crash. He told them he took the car because he needed a ride to work and then asked for a gun to kill himself. Dallas Police Detective Michael Christian wrote in his arrest report when he questioned Thomas -- he confirmed what officers learned from witnesses about asking for a gun.
Diaz told WFAA it took hours for authorities to investigate the deadly crash. Eventually, officers called for a tow truck to haul away the wreckage. She explained how the horrific crash impacted her teenage relatives.
"I am pretty sure my cousins have nightmares and they are traumatized," said Diaz.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner has not released the name of the woman killed in the stolen car crash.
Paramedics took Thomas to the hospital where he was treated for his leg injuries. He was then taken to the Dallas County Jail. Police said Thomas faces charges of murder and theft.