Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, the TikTok creator known online as "Tea Tyme," was arrested Dec. 23 on charges stemming from a Nov. 3 traffic collision in Zion, Illinois, that killed a pedestrian, authorities said.
How investigators connected the livestream to the crash
The Zion Police Department said numerous members of the public alerted investigators to a TikTok clip that appeared to show a livestream of the driver at the time of the collision. After verifying the clip, McCarty-Wroten ultimately surrendered her phone through her attorney. Forensic analysis of the device, police say, confirmed the recording's date and time matched the collision.
The crash and victim
Police say the crash occurred on Nov. 3 when 59-year-old Darren Lucas was struck while walking home from his shift at a grocery store in Zion. Responding units from the Zion Police Department and the Zion Fire Department found Lucas gravely injured at the intersection at about 5:46 p.m. He was taken to Vista Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Ty Nesha/FacebookTynesha McCarty-Wroten.
Allegations and evidence
According to reporting and the police release, a circulating screen recording of the livestream allegedly captured a user with the handle "Tea_Tyme_3" speaking to the phone before a loud impact is heard. The driver is reported to be heard saying, "F---, f---, f--- … I just hit somebody," as someone in the vehicle asks what happened. The account was later made private and a profile reference to Zion was removed.
Investigators reviewed traffic-camera footage and video from nearby businesses and say those images show the vehicle traveling southbound through the intersection while the southbound signal was red. The vehicle was recorded at a speed near the posted 35 mph limit and did not appear to slow or change course before the impact, police said.
Arrest and charges
The Lake County State Attorney's Office obtained charges of reckless homicide and aggravated use of an electronic communication device. Zion police arrested McCarty-Wroten shortly after the warrant was issued; officers say she was observed attempting to leave her home with several packed bags when they arrived. Police say she remained at the scene after the collision and cooperated with officers. An 8-year-old child was in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Zion Police DepartmentTynesha McCarty-Wroten mugshot
McCarty-Wroten voluntarily accompanied officers to the Zion Police Department, provided a statement and submitted to blood and urine tests. Authorities say she initially declined investigators' requests to search her phone before later surrendering it through counsel.
Public reaction
The creator drew further criticism when she reportedly hosted a livestream days after Lucas's death and solicited donations via Cash App, saying the funds would support a period of "mental leave" from content creation. The livestream and donation solicitation prompted public outrage, according to reporting.
Authorities say the sequence of the livestream, public tips and forensic phone analysis together form the basis for the charges now filed in the case. The matter remains under investigation and the charges are allegations; the accused is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
