An American social media influencer known as 'Tea Tyme' has been arrested after allegedly striking and killing a pedestrian while broadcasting a live video from behind the wheel.
Arrest Follows Fatal November Incident
Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, 43, was taken into custody on Tuesday in connection with the death of 59-year-old Darren Lucas on 3 November. The incident occurred in Zion, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Lieutenant Paul Kehrli of the Zion police department confirmed the arrest.
McCarty-Wroten, who performs online under the moniker Tea Tyme, now faces serious felony charges. These include reckless homicide and aggravated use of a communications device resulting in death, according to local jail records.
Livestream Footage Provided Crucial Evidence
Although the driver remained at the scene and spoke with investigators initially, she was not immediately charged. The case took a significant turn when police discovered a screen recording of a TikTok livestream that appeared to capture the moment of the collision.
The video, from an account named 'Tea_Tyme_3', showed the user speaking into her phone before a loud impact is heard. She is then heard exclaiming, "Fuck, fuck, fuck … I just hit somebody." The broadcast ended abruptly as a child in the vehicle asked what had happened.
Following the crash, the associated TikTok account was switched to private and location details were removed. However, online profiles and Illinois business records link the Tea Tyme identity to McCarty-Wroten.
Outcry Over Post-Crash Conduct and Family's Grief
The case provoked further controversy when, days after Lucas's death, McCarty-Wroten hosted another livestream. During this broadcast, she solicited donations via Cash App, stating the funds would support her taking a "mental leave" from the internet. This plea was met with a torrent of criticism from viewers.
Meanwhile, the victim's family are mourning their loss. Darren Lucas was walking near his hometown of Beach Park when he was hit. He suffered blunt force injuries and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. His son-in-law, Chris King, said the family was informed of the arrest by the state attorney's office.
"The family and myself are glad to see the wheels of justice moving," King stated. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Lucas's widow, whom King described as the deceased man's "everything".
Broader Questions About Platform Safety
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing dangers of distracted driving. Numerous studies have linked mobile phone use behind the wheel to a significantly increased risk of accidents.
While TikTok's community guidelines explicitly prohibit livestreaming while driving, users can sometimes circumvent safety measures using features like the green screen function to hide their surroundings. The case raises urgent questions about the enforcement of platform rules and real-world accountability for content creators.
