Tea Tyme, a TikTok user, was arrested yesterday in the Chicago suburb of Zion, Illinois, for allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian while live-streaming on the social media platform.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The 43-year-old, whose real name is Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, faces charges of reckless homicide and aggravated use of a communications device resulting in death, according to The Guardian.
What Happened During Tea Tyme's Live Stream?
On Nov. 3, Darren Lucas was struck by an automobile near his home in Beach Park, Illinois. He was unconscious at the scene. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital emergency room as a result of his injuries.
McCarty-Wroten reported the incident. She told police that she believed she had a green light, saying it was too late when she noticed Lucas crossing the street. At the time, she was not charged.
Police later reviewed surveillance video, which confirmed that McCarty-Wroten ran a red light when Lucas crossed. The evidence suggests she struck someone with her car.
After some hesitation, McCarty-Wroten, through an attorney, turned over her phone. Forensic analysis confirmed she was live-streaming during the crash.
According to The Guardian, the TikTok live stream recorded by user "Tea_Tyme_3," shows McCarty-Wroten talking on her phone. A loud thud is then heard.
She then said, "F***, f***, f*** ... I just hit somebody."
Before the live stream ends, a child asks what had happened. Someone else then asks McCarty-Wroten if she is OK.
What Happened to the TikTok User Since Then?
The "Tea_Tyme_3" account was made private, and the portion of the biography indicating she was from Zion was removed.
Then, several days after Lucas' death, McCarty-Wroten went on another live stream to ask for donations to support some "mental leave" amid "a lot of s*** going on."
"You know I don't like asking y'all for s***, but if y'all ... find it in y'all's heart and y'all wanna support, my CashApp is right there," she said.
Lucas' family launched a GoFundMe page to help support the victim's widow. It has raised over $3,000 at this time. His son-in-law, Chris King, said yesterday that the family was told of McCarty-Wroten's arrest.
"The family and myself are glad to see the wheels of justice moving," he added.
