Police Charge Driver Who Allegedly Killed a Pedestrian While Livestreaming on TikTok

Local police have charged an Illinois driver who struck and killed a pedestrian while livestreaming on TikTok. The incident involved Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, who posts on TikTok under the name Tea Tyme.

According to The New York Times, McCarty-Wroten has been charged by the Zion Police Department with two felonies: reckless homicide and aggravated use of a communications device resulting in death.

In a video that other TikTok accounts have since reshared, McCarty-Wroten can reportedly be seen speaking into her phone when a loud thud is heard. An offscreen child then asks, “What was that?” to which McCarty-Wroten replies, “I hit somebody.”

Surveillance footage from the scene allegedly showed McCarty-Wroten’s vehicle entering the intersection while the traffic light was still red. Investigators determined that she did not slow down or change course before striking Darren Lucas, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

McCarty-Wroten’s lawyer told The New York Times that evidence will show the incident was an accident, a negligent act, but not an intentional or reckless one.