Man pleads guilty in fatal Magnolia Ave drag racing crash

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — One of the two individuals charged in a fatal drag racing crash on Magnolia Avenue that happened in January 2023 has pleaded guilty, according to the Knox County District Attorney’s office.

A spokesperson for the DA’s office released that Tra’Shawn Glass, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by drag racing, which is a class C felony, and two counts of reckless aggravated assault, which are class D felonies.

According to the DA’s office, the plea was essentially a “blind plea,” meaning the sentencing for the plea has not been negotiated.

The spokesperson said Glass is facing three to six years on the homicide charge and two to four years on each aggravated assault charge, and there has not been an agreement made as to whether the sentence will be served consecutively or concurrently.

Glass’ sentencing is scheduled for June 28, a day after the one-year anniversary of Glass’ case heading to the grand jury.

On January 17, 2023, a white Ford Explorer was struck after two Dodge Chargers ran a red light at Magnolia Avenue and Milligan Street, which were allegedly drag racing. In the crash, 65-year-old Michael Williams was killed , and two children, ages 5 and 11, were seriously injured , and three others were injured. According to the DA’s office, Williams’ was the children’s grandfather.

Glass and one other person, Trinity Clark , were charged following the crash. In February 2024, Clark was also been charged with driving on a suspended license in a separate incident.

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