Popular TikTok personality known as Tea Tyme has been taken into police custody in a tragic case linking social media content creation to a fatal road accident. The arrest occurred on Christmas Eve, nearly two months after the alleged incident that claimed a man's life.
Christmas Eve Arrest Follows November Tragedy
Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, the influencer behind the online persona Tea Tyme, was arrested on Tuesday, December 24th, in Zion, according to local police authorities. She faces two serious felony charges: reckless homicide and aggravated use of communications resulting in death.
The charges are connected to an event that took place on November 3rd in a suburb located north of Chicago, in the United States. Police allege that McCarty-Wroten was actively broadcasting a live video to her followers while operating her vehicle. During this livestream, she reportedly struck 59-year-old Darren Lucas as he was crossing an intersection.
Livestream Captured the Moment of Impact
Authorities state that video from the live broadcast, which later spread across various online platforms, captured the horrifying moment of the collision. In the circulated footage, a loud impact is audible, followed by McCarty-Wroten exclaiming, “F***, f***, f***, I just hit somebody.” A child's voice is also heard inquiring about what occurred before the stream cut off abruptly.
Following the incident, McCarty-Wroten is reported to have immediately called emergency services (911) and remained at the location to cooperate with the first responders who arrived at the scene. The victim, Darren Lucas, was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Investigation Ongoing as Community Seeks Answers
The arrest was executed by the Zion Police Department, which has not provided additional specifics regarding the ongoing investigation. The case highlights the grave dangers of distracted driving, particularly when combined with the pressure to create continuous content for social media audiences.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential real-world consequences of actions performed for online engagement. As the legal process moves forward, many are reflecting on the responsibilities of digital influencers and the critical importance of road safety.
