An unimaginable tragedy recently played out in Beach Park, Illinois. A TikToker has been arrested for allegedly striking and killing Darren Lucas while livestreaming his drive home. The crash occurred at a poorly configured intersection in Zion, near Lucas’s hometown. It led him unconscious and eventually caused his death. Friday evening, Lucas’s family was notified by the state attorney’s office that Tynesha McCarty-Wroten had been arrested. To make matters worse, she allegedly livestreamed the moment of impact.
Darren Lucas’s family expressed relief upon learning of McCarty-Wroten’s arrest. Chris King, one of the group’s leaders and Lucas’s son-in-law, told reporters they were just happy to see “the wheels of justice moving.” The family has started a GoFundMe campaign. They hope to care for Lucas’s widow, which King called “all” to the late husband.
Rumors spread on social media that the McCarty-Wroten’s TikTok account was livestreaming when the incident occurred. A video that went viral on social media appeared to show her hitting Lucas as she made derogatory comments about the crash. A voice identified as [redacted] panicked and disoriented screamed, “Fuck, fuck, fuck … I just hit somebody,” soon after the crash. This shocking declaration of war has left viewers around the world shocked and horrified.
Research also shows that using a cell phone while driving doubles the risk of a crash. This is almost exactly how the tragic circumstances that took Lucas’s life unfolded. Like in this specific example, McCarty-Wroten’s actions throughout this violent ambush livestream paint an alarming picture about accountability and safety on our roads and streets.
After the incident, McCarty-Wroten’s TikTok account went private. Nevertheless, social media commentary has condemned her for coming off as unapologetic in the aftermath of the collision. One commenter expressed disbelief by stating, “CASH APP???? AFTER MOWING OVER SOMEBODY…????” One commenter said, “Wow low life!!! No shame at all!!!”
The arrest of McCarty-Wroten is a positive step in an ongoing case that has horrified and saddened the local community and beyond. While the search for answers continues, Darren Lucas’s family is still working to provide for his widow, and help her through this tragic time. Our thoughts are with them as they wait for justice and continue to deal with the impact of this tragic event.