CENTRAL, La. (WAFB) – The Central Police Department has issued a warning about a dangerous new social media challenge that officers say caused a major crash on the Central Thruway.

According to police, a northbound vehicle ran off the road Monday afternoon, Oct. 28, as it approached the intersection of Central Thruway and Frenchtown Road. The vehicle crossed the median and struck a southbound vehicle before stopping and catching fire.

Police said statements from witnesses and the drivers involved indicate that the northbound driver was playing a “drift” game or challenge featured on the social media platforms TikTok and YouTube when he lost control of the vehicle.

Witnesses reported seeing the northbound vehicle repeatedly weaving back and forth onto O’Neal Lane before entering the city. They said the vehicle sometimes “checked the brakes” of other cars on the road.

According to officials, drift is loosely defined as intentional oversteering that causes loss of traction.

Police urge parents to warn their children not to participate in this highly dangerous activity.

“A young driver discovered this afternoon that these challenges have real-world consequences,” police said. “Fortunately, for everyone involved, no one was seriously injured.”

The accident caused the partial closure of the Central Thruway.

RELATED: Patrols increase to stop excessive speed in the City of Central

Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.

Click here to sign up for our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered right to your email inbox.

Copyright 2024 WAFB. All rights reserved.