TikTok creator Tynesha McCarty-Wroten — known to followers as Tea Tyme — was arrested after authorities say she struck and killed a pedestrian while livestreaming as she drove through a Chicago suburb in November.
According to a press release from the Zion Police Department, McCarty-Wroten was arrested Tuesday, Dec. 23, in connection with a crash that killed 59-year-old Darren Lucas. Lucas was walking home from his shift at a grocery store in Zion, Ill., when he was hit on Nov. 3.
Police said they were alerted after “numerous members of the public” contacted investigators about a TikTok video that allegedly showed McCarty-Wroten livestreaming at the time of the crash. Investigators reported verifying the video and later confirming through forensic analysis — after McCarty-Wroten surrendered her phone via her attorney — that the footage was recorded on the date and time of the incident.
Per a report from The Guardian, the clip circulating online was described as a screen recording of a livestream that allegedly showed a user with the handle “Tea_Tyme_3” speaking to her phone before a loud thump is heard. The driver reportedly then said, “F—, f—, f— … I just hit somebody,” while someone else in the vehicle asked what happened. The Guardian also reported the account was later made private and that a bio line stating the user was from Zion was removed.
The Lake County State Attorney’s Office issued a warrant Tuesday charging McCarty-Wroten with reckless homicide and aggravated use of an electronic communication device, according to the release. Zion police said she was arrested shortly after the warrant was issued and was seen attempting to leave her home with several packed bags.
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Authorities said Lucas had just finished work and was walking back to his home in nearby Beach Park when he was struck at an intersection while trying to cross. Police and fire crews responded around 5:46 p.m. and found Lucas “seriously injured,” the release said. He was taken to Vista Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police identified McCarty-Wroten as the driver at the scene and said she remained there and cooperated with officers. An 8-year-old minor was also in the vehicle, according to authorities.
The release stated that McCarty-Wroten went voluntarily to the Zion Police Department, provided a statement, and submitted to blood and urine testing. Police said she initially declined to let investigators search her phone.
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According to authorities, McCarty-Wroten told officers she believed she had a green light when she entered the intersection and said she did not see Lucas crossing. Investigators reviewed the scene and video from nearby businesses, which they allege shows the vehicle traveled south through the intersection while the light for southbound traffic was red. Police also alleged the car was moving near the posted 35 mph speed limit and did not appear to slow down or change course before impact.
The Guardian reported that McCarty-Wroten later drew additional online backlash after hosting another livestream days after Lucas’ death, during which she reportedly asked viewers for donations through Cash App that she said would support her taking “mental leave” from creating content.
