A joyride turned tragic Saturday night in a Colorado Springs parking lot when an SUV loaded with thrill-seekers hanging out the windows overturned and crushed five teenage passengers. Two have been discharged from hospital, while three others remain in critical but stable condition as of Wednesday.
The 19-year-old driver has been charged with reckless driving as well as an additional charge of assault by vehicle.
The instantly life-changing moment was recorded and shared on social media, where it has become the latest thrill-seeking video to go viral. It was first posted by @CatchUpFeed on X—the social media platform formerly known as Twitter—which regularly posts “tasty news, culture, memes, viral videos and commentary.”
The short video clip has since been shared and reposted, garnering over 10 million views in total. Although it shows that bystanders reacted quickly and attempted to save a teenager who was pinned beneath the SUV after it landed on its side, this is the latest of such “accident” videos.
Susan Schreiner suggests, “These are frightening and senseless times, and it’s constantly available on TV or social media screens. Smartphones with cameras are in everyone’s pocket, and becoming a ‘reality-TV’ celebrity through a viral video has never been easier.” It hasn’t been easy.” Technology and Social Media Analyst at C4 Trends.
Schreiner added, “The video of the recent Colorado crash that went viral on social media shows how society has reached new lows.” “Although each generation has its unruly kids and daredevils – these daring crash videos are the equivalent of ‘snuff videos’ – except with potentially more dangerous consequences.”
Show off or die trying!
To quote ABC’s tagline, it appears that many viewers are more interested in the “pain of defeat” than the “thrill of victory.” wide world of games, Video of a car doing donuts in a parking lot, even with kids hanging out the window, likely won’t be picked up by news outlets across the country, nor will it get millions of views.
Add in the horrific accident, and the view counters have worked overtime.
“There will always be people who want to show off in cars, and now they can reach new levels of notoriety on social media,” said Susan Campbell, distinguished lecturer in the department of communication, film and media studies at the University of New Haven.
Campbell further said, “The videos I’ve seen of street occupations follow a pattern of uncontrolled and more and more bizarre attempts to attract attention. And then you look for roll-overs.” “Why? I would say sharing these videos is a big part of the problem. Let law enforcement do their job and stop sharing these. Just because you have a video doesn’t mean you have to share it.” will be.”
The question may also be asked as to why platforms allow such videos to be shared in the first place – especially when it is very possible that someone may have died. At what point do social media companies have responsibility?
“Is there a possibility that with the help of AI, an algorithm could be created that limits the posting of these types of accidents or other types of violence,” Schreiner pondered. “While possible, it is unlikely to appeal to First Amendment rights advocates.”
Perhaps a start would be by creating more robust disclaimers for social media platforms, focusing on its consequences, how it ended or its current state – possibly including whether someone went to jail, was paralyzed or In some cases he was even killed. ,
“Young people have new role models and heroes. Instead of mom or dad – it’s the person they see on the screen, including social media influencers, peers, bullies, or other ‘adults’ who foster distrust and “Speech hatred, and inflame grievances,” warned Schreiner. “During this holiday season, social media can be a force for good, so let’s come together and explore how it can be used to foster greater social responsibility, personal accountability, and find new ways to rekindle kindness and truth. How can it be done for!”