Challenge’s Nelson Thomas charged with DWI for car crash in March

Nelson Thomas has been charged with driving under the influence six months after his near-fatal car accident.

Us Weekly confirmed that the Challenge alum, 34, was officially charged by Austin police on September 28 with misdemeanor DWI.

Thomas’ accident occurred in March. The reality star was pulled from a burning vehicle by a Minnesota Vikings player KJ Osborn and three other strangers. Thomas suffered an ankle injury in the accident and had to undergo several operations.

However, his ankle did not heal properly seven months after the procedure. As a result, Thomas faced possible amputation.

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“The bone is broken again, it’s out of place. It doesn’t cure everything,” Thomas said emotionally in September Instagram video. “I have been in pain for the past two weeks, but I thought it was due to my overexertion in physiotherapy and in the gym. I found out that where they had the screws and plates, the bone broke. It didn’t heal.”

Thomas’ doctor told him at the time that he was in the “rescue phase” and that he had two options moving forward: an amputation or ankle fusion surgery, which fuses the ankle bone into one piece and is usually done to treat arthritis. Cleveland Clinic. After revealing the news, Thomas said he would get a second opinion.

The following month, Thomas gave an update that after seeing three specialists, he was going to try stem cells because he was “afraid” of having another procedure done. The reality star revealed his plans to head to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to undergo treatment before opting for another surgery.

“I have finally decided on the route I am going to follow. I want to thank the man upstairs and everyone who has supported me on this journey,” Nelson wrote in October Instagram role. “I’m very grateful to my @dr.akhan and I can’t wait to move forward with the procedure. Tomorrow to Mexico! What does that say? Viva, viva la Mexico aka Cabo ✈️🧬.”

Thomas got his reality TV start on MTV’s Season 3 Are you the one? He later joined the Challenge franchise in 2016 and has competed in nine seasons of the competition series. Thomas reached the finals in two seasons, but never emerged victorious. He currently holds the record for most consecutive daily challenge losses by a male competitor, at 54.