Disturbing New TikTok Challenge Responsible For Death Of 4 Bufallo Teens?

A deadly car collision that killed four teenagers has been connected to the popular Kia Challenge on TikTok. The authorities from Buffalo Police said that six individuals were in a stolen Kia Sportage vehicle that crashed minutes before 7 a.m. on Monday in upstate New York City. Three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth died in a hospital. Investigators remarked that the deceased were all aged between 14 and 19.

The victims have been identified as Marcus Webster, 19; Swazine Swindle, 17; Kevin Payne, 16; and Ahjanae Harper, 14. Also, a 14-year-old girl was taken to a hospital but has now been taken out of intensive care.

The Buffalo Police commissioner said that it was a horrible morning for the deceased's families, friends, police officers, investigators, and fire department who were there investigating. Gramaglia added that this was a terrible, terrible outcome for such young kids that had their entire lives in front of them, the Independent reported.

Meanwhile, the 16-year-old male who drove the Kia has not been identified. He was treated at a hospital and released into the custody of Buffalo Police. He faces charges of third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He is due back in court on Nov. 15.

New York Daily News reported that on Monday, Gramaglia also said that the group may have been participating in the so-called “Kia Challenge,” a TikTok challenge that encourages people to steal particular models of Hyundai and Kia vehicles with key-based ignition systems by utilizing a USB cord and a screwdriver. The car thieves then post videos of themselves on TikTok while driving the stolen vehicles.

Police departments across the country have reported an increase in cases of stolen Kia and Hyundai cars since the first video was posted over the summer. As a result, a class-action lawsuit was filed last month in Orange County, California alleging that Kias built between 2011 and 2021 and Hyundais built between 2015 and 2021 lack anti-theft machinery called engine immobilizers which makes the vehicles easier targets of theft. The Kia involved in the fatal crash Monday morning had been reported stolen the night before, New York Post reported.