TikTok challenge may have caused teens' death in fatal Buffalo car crash

Buffalo, New York - Four teenagers tragically lost their lives in a fatal car accident, and many believe the group may have been taking part in a car theft TikTok challenge that has been attributed to rising crime.

A disturbing trend has circulated TikTok called the "Kia Challenge," which teaches viewers how to hot wire cars.
A disturbing trend has circulated TikTok called the "Kia Challenge," which teaches viewers how to hot wire cars.  © Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP

Videos of the Kia Challenge have circulated on TikTok, encouraging and showing users how to hot-wire and steal Kias and Hyundai cars with a USB cable.

Since the first video was posted in July, the challenge has gone viral, and the number of stolen vehicles has skyrocketed, the New York Post reported.

Now, the alarming trend may have contributed to the deaths of several young teens in Buffalo, New York.

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On Monday morning, six teenagers were speeding in a Kia when its 16-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle. Five teens were thrown out of the car, and a 14-year-old girl and three boys, aged 16, 17, 18, died on the spot.

The driver was treated at the hospital and released, while another 14-year-old passenger who sustained serious injuries is said to be on the road to recovery.

The Kia was reported stolen on Sunday night.

Among the alleged TikTok "Kia Challenge" victims is a young mother

A young mother named Ahjanae Harper was killed in Monday's car accident, and leaves behind a baby daughter.
A young mother named Ahjanae Harper was killed in Monday's car accident, and leaves behind a baby daughter.  © Collage: Gofundme/Rramonna Maxwell & Screenshot/Facebook/Jayleen Hennessy

The investigation is still ongoing, but Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia confirmed to the media on Monday that police have seen a spike in car thefts since the challenge went viral.

Among those killed on Monday was 14-year-old Ahjanae Harper, who recently became a mother. She leaves behind a baby girl.

The driver of the car is facing charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property, police said.

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TikTok has called on its users to report videos of content related to the "Kia Challenge" so that it can be removed immediately.

It is just one of many dangerous challenges on the platform that have gotten the company into hot water and caused young people injury and in severe cases, death.

In the meantime, Kia is facing a class action lawsuit. The plaintiffs want the car manufacturer to retrofit many of its models so that theft becomes more difficult.

Cover photo: Collage: LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP & Screenshot/Facebook/Jayleen Hennessy

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