Area man charged with reckless homicide in connection with fatal 2022 crash

An area man has been charged with homicide after authorities said his reckless driving led to the death of two passengers. 25-year-old Trey T. Thomas of Elizabeth, recently was charged in Jo Daviess County Circuit Court with reckless homicide. Thomas has not yet entered a plea, though he has his first court appearance Feb. 6. The charge stems from a Jan. 8, 2022, one-vehicle crash that happened on South Pleasant Hill Road in rural Elizabeth. Thomas caused the death of two of his passengers by driving his vehicle “at a speed which was greater than reasonable and proper with regard to the existing traffic conditions.” Authorities previously stated the vehicle was traveling north when it left the roadway and struck a culvert. The vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest on the driver’s side. 21-year-old Wyatt H. Potter of Hanover, and 21-year-old Rhett L. Geisz of Elizabeth, were thrown from the vehicle during the crash and died as a result of their injuries. Thomas and a third passenger, were injured and treated at an area hospital.