An Illinois woman has been charged with multiple felonies following a deadly road incident that allegedly occurred while she was livestreaming on TikTok, according to local police authorities.

The Zion Police Department confirmed that Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, a TikTok content creator known online as Tea Tyme, has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated use of a communications device resulting in death. The charges stem from a collision that claimed the life of a pedestrian.

According to reports by The New York Times, a video that has circulated widely on TikTok appears to capture the moments leading up to the incident. In the footage, McCarty-Wroten is seen addressing her phone when a loud impact is heard. A child off camera reportedly asks, “What was that?” to which the woman responds, “I hit somebody.”

Investigators say surveillance footage from the area shows McCarty-Wroten’s vehicle entering an intersection while the traffic signal was red. Authorities further noted that there was no visible attempt to slow down or alter direction before the vehicle struck Darren Lucas. Lucas was later pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.

In response to the charges, McCarty-Wroten’s attorney told The New York Times that the incident was accidental. The lawyer stated that available evidence would demonstrate the crash was the result of negligence rather than an intentional or reckless act.

Source: Techcrunch