Four teens died in a Monday car crash near Buffalo, New Yor, which was reportedly linked to a TikTok trend.
Six teens between the ages of 14 and 17 reportedly stole a Kia around 8 p.m. Sunday and crashed just before 7 a.m. Three teens died in the accident while the fourth died in hospital, WGRZ reported. (RELATED: FDA Issues Warning Over Viral Cooking Craze Deemed Incredibly Dangerous)
BREAKING: BPD on scene of a serious rollover accident at the 33 westbound & the 198. Motorists are asked to avoid that area with that stretch of roadway closed to vehicular traffic.
— Buffalo Police Dept (@BPDAlerts) October 24, 2022
The fifth passenger and the 16-year-old driver were both taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries. The passenger was in intensive care while the driver was released, according to ABC News.
The driver has been ticketed for criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a stolen vehicle, according to the outlet, although it is likely additional charges will be filed.
Buffalo Police commissioner Joseph A. Gramaglia suspected that the alleged theft is linked to a viral TikTok trend known as the “Kia Challenge” which shows thieves all over the country demonstrating how to carjack Kia and Hyundai model vehicles built in the last decade by using a USB cord, according to WGRZ.
The trend has resulted in an increase of stolen vehicles all over the country. Hyundai and Kia are currently facing a lawsuit over these vulnerabilities.
“They’re very easy unfortunately to steal,” Gramaglia said, according to WGRZ. “You can look up the information that’s been put out there. There are numerous cities across the country that are looking at looking into or have filed lawsuits against Kia because of the ease that they are able to steal these cars.”