(WWJ) Macomb County authorities are out with a warning about an "incredibly dangerous" new social media challenge that could be deadly for the young people who take part.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office said that it has responded to three incidents of so-called "car surfing" over the past month.
In all three instances, a child fell off the top of a moving vehicle while the "challenge" was being filmed for social media.
In the first incident, on June 21, deputies responded to a parking lot on Gratiot Ave. in New Haven on a report that a juvenile had fallen fell off the roof of a Kia Optima with another juvenile behind the wheel.
In that case, the MCSO said the driver — who has been charged with reckless driving — admitted thinking it would be “fun” to drive around with the friend on the roof of the vehicle. The injured child was taken to a hospital for treatment of a head laceration and multiple abrasions, but was otherwise in stable condition, officials said.
In the second incident, on July 19, deputies responded to the parking lot of Iroquois Middle School, in Macomb Twp., on a report about a juvenile who'd fallen off the back of a moving Ford Escape being driven by another juvenile.
Officials said the kid who fell off the car suffered a skull fracture and a brain bleed, but was in stable condition as of Monday morning.
In that case, the driver was arrested and charged with OWI causing serious injury, as well as reckless driving, the MCSO said.
In the third incident, on July 21, deputies responded to Romeo High School in Romeo where a juvenile fell from the roof of a Dodge Challenger being driven by another juvenile in the school parking lot. The driver admitted to driving while his friends were “car surfing," the sheriff's office said.
The child was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries to his head and ear, and was last responded in stable condition. Again, the driver involved was cited for reckless driving.
“The MCSO takes these incidents of 'car surfing' very seriously,” said Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, in a statement. “These participants do not seem to realize that they become projectiles, hitting cement or asphalt at 30-50 miles an hour. No matter what condition these individuals are in, their bodies are just not designed to take that much trauma.”
The sheriff's office says no thrill or adrenaline rush is worth sacrificing your life or the lives of your friends or family members.
Here are some points to keep in mind (provided by the MCSO):
• Life is Precious: Remember, our lives are invaluable, and reckless activities like car surfing can have irreversible consequences.
• Peer Pressure Awareness: Never succumb to peer pressure or feel compelled to engage in dangerous activities for the sake of fitting in or seeking thrill.
• Speak Out: If you notice someone planning or participating in car surfing or any other dangerous stunts, don’t stay silent. Speak up and report it to the appropriate authorities or a trusted adult.
• Educate Others: Share this message with your friends, family, and social media followers. Together, we can spread awareness and prevent further tragedies.
• Drivers can face serious criminal charges including:
▪ Reckless Driving, Various Seatbelt Violations (depending on age of passengers), Permitting Person to Hang On/Attach Themselves to the Outside of Vehicle, Permitted Passenger to Ride in an Unsafe Manner, Reckless Endangerment, Third Degree Assault, Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide.
• Potential charges for the person not riding correctly include:
▪ Person Hung On/Attached Themselves to the Outside of Vehicle.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. Please stay safe, make responsible choices, and encourage others to do the same. We need to work together to prevent further tragedies,” Wickersham added.
The ages, hometowns and other details about the young people involved in these incidents were not immediately released.
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