A horrific hit-and-run crash in Zion, Illinois, left 34-year-old Kelly Williams unconscious, and his family now in need of assistance. Darren Lucas, the victim, was struck by driver Tynesha McCarty-Wroten. This hit-and-run incident happened while he was out walking near an intersection not far from his home in Beach Park. What made this incident different was that McCarty-Wroten was livestreaming on TikTok, and millions of viewers watched the moment of impact.
Witness statements indicated that Darren Lucas was walking on the side of the road when he was struck by McCarty-Wroten’s car, rendering him paralyzed. Eyewitnesses watched the livestream video that captured the moment Lucas was hit by the car. This incident was cause for serious concern about McCarty-Wroten’s behavior while behind the wheel. Police responded to the original TikTok video, which showed her allegedly participating in the attack, and after being notified by the social media platform, arrested her.
Chris King, Lucas’s son-in-law, said that the state attorney’s office had conveyed news of McCarty-Wroten’s arrest to the family. King emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are devastated and just trying to make sense of everything.” Darren Lucas’s family has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his widow, he added.
The GoFundMe campaign has attracted a storm of support, fighters and fans alike sharing their grief and reaching to help where they can. Chris King referred to Lucas’s wife as “his everything,” emphasizing the insurmountable reality that this nightmare has now become their everyday life.
McCarty-Wroten’s livestream has resulted in anger and hurt from those who have watched it. Fewer, though, are incredulous that she seems so unrepentant following the crash. Reactions to the video included outrage as well as disgust, such as this comment from one user: “Wow despicable!!! She shows no regret!!! Another commenter questioned her decision to solicit financial help through her CashApp after being involved in such a serious incident: “CASH APP???? AFTER MOWING OVER SOMEBODY…????”
Research shows that texting is just as risky as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This was clear in the crash that severely injured Darren Lucas. The intersection where the incident occurred has now become a focal point for discussions about pedestrian safety and responsible driving practices.