Woman who struck, killed pedestrian in north suburb was livestreaming on TikTok, police say

Editor’s Note: The video in this story is from a previous report.

A 43-year-old suburban woman was arrested and charged with reckless homicide, with police saying she struck and killed a pedestrian while livestreaming on TikTok, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The incident took place about 5:46 p.m. Nov. 3, the Zion Police Department said, with police responding to a call of a crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Sheridan Road and 33rd Street.

The pedestrian, later identified as 59-year-old Darren Lucas, had just finished his shift at a grocery store and was planning to walk to his home in Beach Park, police said. As he attempted to cross the street, he was struck by a vehicle heading southbound.

According to officials, Lucas was transported to a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as 43-year-old Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, of Zion, who also had an 8-year-old in the car, remained on the scene and cooperated with officers. According to police, McCarty-Wroten voluntarily provided a statement to officials saying she believed she had a green light and did not see the pedestrian until it was too late.

Investigators asked to search McCartney-Wroten’s cell phone, but she declined, police said.

Surveillance video collected during the investigation showed McCarty-Wroten drove through the intersection while the light was red. It also showed that the vehicle did not appear to slow down or change course before hitting Lucas.

As the investigation continued, “numerous” members of the public reached out to Zion police to call attention attention to a TikTok video that allegedly showed McCarty-Wroten livestreaming herself driving at the time of the crash.

McCartney-Wroten later surrendered her phone through her attorney, police said. Forensic analysis confirmed the video was recorded at the date and time of the crash.

Tuesday, the Lake County State’s Attorney approved charges against McCarty-Wroten of reckless homicide and aggravated use of an electronic communication device, with investigators contacting her attorney to seek voluntary surrender.

According to police, attorneys said she would surrender within a weeks time. An hour later, McCarty-Wroten was seen leaving her home with several bags packed.

Investigators stopped her and took her into custody without incident, police said. She was transported to Lake County Jail where she will remain for her first court hearing.

“The Zion Police Department extends its deepest condolences to those affected by this tragic yet avoidable incident,” police said in a release. “It is our hope that all who read this are starkly reminded to put down the phone when driving, lives very literally depend on it.”