EASTON, Pa. — Criminal charges including involuntary manslaughter have been filed against two Northampton County teenagers who, trying to replicate TikTok challenges, seriously injured and killed participants, officials said Tuesday.
Social media challenges are trends where users create and share videos of themselves and others performing specific actions designed to entertain and encourage others to try them.
"Unfortunately, the juvenile driver recklessly operated the vehicle at a significant speed, such that it whipped the rider sitting on the table into another parked vehicle," killing him.Northampton County District Attorney's Office release
In the first case, a 17-year-old male, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, was charged with involuntary manslaughter after a June 21 incident in which another 17-year-old boy was killed, according to a release from county District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta.
Authorities previously identified the victim as David Nagy, a 17-year-old from Bethlehem Township who was finishing his junior year at Freedom High School.
According to the release, in the early morning hours, in the Freedom High School parking lot, the driver used a rope to tie an upside-down folding table to the back of his car.
The car then pulled the table through the lot while Nagy "rode" on top of the table.
"Unfortunately, the juvenile driver recklessly operated the vehicle at a significant speed, such that it whipped the rider sitting on the table into another parked vehicle," killing him, Baratta said in a prepared statement.
Second incident
In the other incident, a 19-year-old female driver on March 18 operated her vehicle while a female friend stood on top of the trunk, the release said.
Authorities did not release the name of the 19-year-old driver, or detail the charges filed against her.
"In both cases, the actions of these drivers were so grossly negligent and reckless that it constituted a criminal culpable state of mind."Northampton County District Attorney's Office release
The TikTok challenge involved the friend "surfing" on the back of a moving vehicle as it drove through the Park and Ride parking lot off William Penn Highway in Bethlehem Township, authorities said.
The friend was thrown from the moving vehicle and received "catastrophic," permanent head injuries, the release said.
"Our investigations suggest that neither of these young drivers was involved in criminogenic thinking," the release says. "In other words, these drivers were not planning to injure their victims.
"However, in both cases, the actions of these drivers were so grossly negligent and reckless that it constituted a criminal culpable state of mind."
'Will be held to account'
The release said "it is also important to know that both defendants were well known to the families of the victims, had no prior criminal record, and the families of the victims are not calling out for incarceration.
"Our office has assured both families that we are not seeking incarceration.
"These families are seeking accountability and hope that these charges will result in deterrence for other youths who may find themselves attracted to the thrill of mimicking dangerous social media challenges that have the potential to injure others."Northampton County District Attorney's Office release
"However, these families are seeking accountability and hope that these charges will result in deterrence for other youths who may find themselves attracted to the thrill of mimicking dangerous social media challenges that have the potential to injure others," the district attorney said.
"Therefore, on behalf of these victims and their families, we publicize these charges to warn the general public and, in particular, our youth that all who engage in dangerous and criminally reckless behavior that results in serious injuries to others, even where the injury was not expected or planned, will be held to account."
