According to police, a teenage driver was doing a social media challenge at the time of the accident

CENTRAL, La. (WAFB/Gray News) – Police in Louisiana warned of a dangerous social media challenge that officials say led to a serious accident.

“People who post these things on TikTok and other social media platforms, who have no responsibility for their children and do not care about them, give them examples that entice children to follow them, and we have accidents exactly like this said Central Police Department Deputy Chief Cliff Ivey.

According to police, a 17-year-old drove off the road in a northbound vehicle as it approached the intersection of the Central Thruway and Frenchtown Road on Monday afternoon. The car crossed the median and struck a southbound vehicle before stopping and catching fire.

Police said statements from witnesses and drivers involved indicate the northbound driver was playing a “drift” game or challenge featured on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube when he took control of the vehicle lost.

According to officials, drifting is broadly defined as intentional oversteer that results in a loss of traction.

“As the young man discovered yesterday, the things we do have real-world consequences. Even if you see them in cyberspace, you don't show up again in real life and the car doesn't automatically get fixed and people actually get it. “People have been hurt and killed on our roads,” Ivey added.

Witnesses reported seeing the northbound vehicle repeatedly weave back and forth to O'Neal Lane before entering the city. They said the vehicle would temporarily “brake” other cars on the road.

Police are now urging parents to warn their children against taking part in the extremely dangerous activity.

According to police, no one was seriously injured.

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