A Fatal Crash on the West Side
Newly released court records detail how Indianapolis investigators say they tracked down two men accused of causing a deadly crash earlier this month while allegedly street racing. According to a probable cause affidavit, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers were dispatched around 8:12 a.m. on Dec. 11 to the intersection of North Lynhurst Drive and West Vermont Street, where they found a black 2009 Chevrolet Colorado and a 2003 Ford Mustang that had been involved in a serious collision.
Fire Crews Find a Driver Who Couldn’t Be Saved
Speedway Fire Department crews told officers they had extinguished a fire that broke out after the crash, with a driver trapped inside the Chevrolet Colorado while they worked. Medics pronounced that driver dead at the scene. As of publication, the Marion County Coroner’s Office had not released the driver’s identity.
Surveillance Video Reconstructs the Moments Before Impact
Investigators obtained video showing a white 2010 Nissan Altima and the Mustang traveling south on North Lynhurst Drive toward Vermont Street just before the crash, staggered across lanes at high speed. As the Colorado entered the intersection attempting a left turn during a red light, police say both the Mustang and Altima ran the light, and the Mustang struck the Colorado’s passenger side, forcing the truck off the road where it caught fire.
Return to the Scene, Then a Getaway
Footage reportedly showed the Altima returning to the scene about 36 seconds after the crash. The Mustang’s driver got out of the wrecked car, briefly went back for something, then got into the Altima before it left. Additional video allegedly showed the Altima driving the wrong way down northbound lanes and cutting through yards to flee. A witness later told police the two cars had been traveling between 60 and 70 mph and appeared to be racing.
Investigation Leads to an Arrest
The investigation led officers to a residence on West 66th Street, where the Mustang’s registered owner lived and had reported the car missing. Police found a white Altima matching the crash vehicle parked in the driveway and arrested its occupant, identified as Ricardo Martinez-Valades. Inside the home, officers also located Angel Osuvaldo-Franco, whose clothing allegedly matched that of the Mustang’s driver seen on video.
Charges Filed Against Both Men
Police say the Mustang had been registered in the owner’s name in exchange for payment from Osuvaldo-Franco. Martinez-Valades reportedly told investigators the two men are stepbrothers and said he picked up Osuvaldo-Franco after the crash. Both men were booked into the Marion County Jail on multiple felony charges, including reckless homicide, with initial hearings scheduled and both being held on federal detainers. As with any pending criminal case, both men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.