Executive Summary
- A driver in Zion, Illinois, fatally struck a pedestrian while broadcasting a live stream on TikTok.
- The victim was identified as Darren Lucas, 59. The driver, Tay NeSha, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.
- Police are using the live stream video as evidence in their investigation and have stated there were no initial signs of impairment.
- The driver sparked public criticism by posting a subsequent video asking for fan support following the fatal incident.
ZION, Illinois – Authorities are investigating a fatal traffic accident in a Chicago suburb after a TikTok live stream captured a driver striking and killing a pedestrian. The driver, who was broadcasting at the time of the incident, later faced public criticism for a subsequent video requesting support from followers.
The accident occurred around 5:46 p.m. on November 4th near the intersection of Sheridan Road and 33rd Street in Zion, Illinois. Police identified the driver as Tay NeSha, who was operating a 2015 Ford SUV. The victim was identified as Darren Lucas, 59, an employee at a local convenience store. Mr. Lucas was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Video from the live stream shows the driver reacting after a loud crash, stating, “I just hit a person.” The broadcast ended shortly after bystanders approached the vehicle. According to the Zion Police Department, NeSha remained at the scene, called 911, and has been cooperating with the investigation. Authorities also stated there was no evidence of drug or alcohol involvement at the time of the incident.
The live stream footage has since circulated widely on social media and is being used by police as evidence in their ongoing investigation. Public outrage intensified after NeSha posted a new video three days after the fatal accident, in which she stated she needed a “mental break” and asked for support from her followers.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision is active. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.