For years, we’ve known that looking at a smartphone while driving is dangerous. Many equate the distraction with causing impairment similar to that of using alcohol or drugs while driving. Many states have strict laws prohibiting drivers from using their phones while driving. Illinois law prohibits drivers from using teleconferencing or social media apps while driving, even when sitting at a red light. Yet a TikToker may have killed a man while livestreaming as she drove. It’s a horrific story with an unbelievable plotline.
Darren Lucas was walking across Sheridan Road in Zion, Illinois, on November 3, 2025, when a car struck him. Emergency crews took Lucas to an area hospital, but he later died from injuries received in the crash, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. A woman named Ty Nesha, who posts as @tea_tyme_3, allegedly hit Lucas while livestreaming on TikTok. If that wasn’t bad enough, she had a child in the car when the accident occurred.
Nesha has since made her TikTok account private, but multiple people shared a screen recording of the live in which she appears to hit Lucas. Nesha dropped a series of f-bombs, then said, “I just hit somebody.” A child’s voice says, “What was that?” and the livestream abruptly ends.
@not.bethel CORRECTION : those are her grandchildren not childern. What do you guys think about this? #teatyme #chicago #storytelling #storytimes #news ♬ original sound – NotBethel
News outlets did not name Nesha as the driver, but Fox 32 Chicago, reported a Ford Edge struck Lucas as he crossed the street. The driver, a 43-year-old woman, reportedly called 911 and stayed with 59-year-old Lucas until police arrived. Officers from the Zion Police Department apparently know about the livestream and are working to verify its validity, Fox 32 reported.
TikToker @not.bethel shared a screen recording of Nesha’s live, and the comment section could not believe what they saw.
“No the most traumatizing part is a man is dead! His family has to deal with him getting hit by someone focused on their TikTok,” someone wrote.
“These dang PHONES! It’s an addiction at this point. Moral of the story, GET OFF THE PHONE. Please!” another person shared. “Let this be a lesson learned. Put the phone down while you’re driving. RIP Lucas ugh this broke my heart.”
Some people pointed out the innocent child in the car, who will likely never forget that day. “With children in the car! that messed me up. nothing is ever that serious to discuss on live while driving,” someone else commented.
According to the New York Post, Nesha allegedly got back on social media just days after the crash and asked people for donations for her “mental leave.”
“You know I don’t like asking y’all for s—, but if y’all … find it in y’all’s heart and y’all wanna support, my CashApp is right there,” she allegedly said on TikTok.
She told her viewers they were more than welcome to donate money to her, and she went on to promote a new album. “I will be OK. I am taking things one day at a time. I’m good, you guys,” Nesha said.
Lucas’ son-in-law, Chris King, told the Scanner he will miss him dearly.
“I personally just lost a great friend, while so many lost much more, hope… hope that if this guy can make people happy, no matter their background or affiliation, at his own expense at times. But we loved him for who he was, and the light that he shone on our lives,” King said.
Hopefully, investigators have all the evidence they need to prosecute Ty Nesha. This story has multiple tragedies, not the least of which is a loss of life. The driver put a child in an incredibly dangerous situation. Luckily, the child wasn’t hurt.
The thought of livestreaming to followers while driving alone is wild, but taking along a child who has no choice is unconscionable. Surely a social media following isn’t more important than someone else’s life. The crash remains under investigation.
