CENTRAL, La. (WAFB) – The Central Police Department issued a warning about a dangerous new social media challenge that officers say caused a major crash on Central Thruway.
“People who are posting these things on Tik Tok and other social media platforms who have no responsibility for and do not care about your children are giving them examples that entice children to follow them and we accidents just like this,” said Central Police Department Assistant Chief Cliff Ivey.
According to police, a northbound vehicle ran off the road on Monday afternoon, Oct. 28, as it approached Central Thruway’s intersection with Frenchtown Road. The vehicle crossed the median and hit a southbound vehicle before stopping and catching fire.
Police said statements from witnesses and the drivers involved indicate that the northbound driver was playing a “drift” game or challenge featured on social media platforms TikTok and YouTube when he lost control of the vehicle.
According to officials, drifting is loosely defined as intentionally oversteering causing loss of traction.
“As the young man found out yesterday, there are real world consequences for things we do that even though you see them in cyberspace, you don’t respawn in real life and your car doesn’t automatically repair and people actually get injured and killed on our roadways,” said Ivey.
Witnesses reported seeing the northbound vehicle weaving back and forth repeatedly as far back as O’Neal Lane before entering the city. They said, at times, the vehicle would “brake check” other cars on the road.
Police urge parents to caution their children against participating in the highly dangerous activity.
“One young driver found out this evening that these challenges have real-world consequences,” said police. “Thankfully, for all involved, no one was seriously injured.”
The crash caused a partial closure of Central Thruway.
RELATED: Increased patrols to stop speeding in the City of Central
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