Courtesy: Ocala Police Department
OCALA, Fla. - An 18-year-old man was seriously hurt when he was hit by a truck while allegedly getting a haircut while seated in the middle of the roadway in Ocala, allegedly part of a viral "TikTok" trend, according to the Ocala Police Department.
Police later arrested the man and two others for violating a city ordinance.
Ocala police stunt investigation
What we know:
Three men set up a chair from a nearby Raising Cane's in the cement median of State Road 200 in Ocala to film a trending social media video, according to police.
OPD said Ruben Rodriguez, 18, sat in the chair while Andrew Costa-De Souza, 19, gave him a haircut and Christopher Coleman, 20, filmed.
Police stated a traffic crash nearby caused a Chevrolet 3500 pickup truck to veer toward the median. According to officers, Coleman and Costa-De Souza ran out of the way, but the truck hit Rodriguez from behind because his back was turned to traffic.
Officers arrested all three men on charges of unlawful assembly and dangerous use of public rights of way. Authorities say they arrested Costa-De Souza at Orlando International Airport after he returned from traveling abroad and transported him to the Marion County Jail.
Roadway social media hazards
Why you should care:
The Ocala Police Department warned that social media stunts on active roadways place participants and drivers in immediate danger and will bring criminal charges.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Ocala Police Department, who detailed the arrests and incident details in an arrest affidavit.