TikTok content creator known online as Tea Tyme has been taken into custody on Christmas Eve, nearly two months after she allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian while livestreaming as she drove.
The influencer, whose real name is Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, was arrested on Tuesday in Zion, according to police. She was booked on two felony charges, reckless homicide and aggravated use of communications resulting in death.
Authorities said the charges stem from an incident that occurred on November 3 in a suburb north of Chicago, United States of America. Police allege McCarty-Wroten was livestreaming while driving when she struck 59-year-old Darren Lucas as he crossed an intersection.
Video from the livestream, which later circulated online, reportedly captured the moment of impact. In the footage, a loud thud is heard, followed by McCarty-Wroten saying, “F***, f***, f***, I just hit somebody.” A child’s voice is also heard asking what happened shortly before the stream abruptly ended.
Police said McCarty-Wroten called 911 immediately after the incident and remained at the scene to cooperate with responding officers. Lucas was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The arrest was carried out by the Zion Police Department, which has not released further details on the investigation.