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Two teenagers in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, face charges following separate incidents involving dangerous TikTok-inspired stunts that resulted in the death of one teen and permanent injuries to another. The incidents occurred in different locations within the county, which is situated 85 miles west of New York City and 80 miles north of Philadelphia.
In the first incident, 17-year-old David Nagy died on June 1 while participating in a stunt known as "table surfing." Nagy was riding on a folding table tied to the back of a friend's car when the driver, a 17-year-old boy, drove recklessly, causing Nagy to be thrown into a parked vehicle. The driver has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
In a separate incident on March 18, a 19-year-old woman drove through a parking lot while her 20-year-old friend "surfed" on the trunk of the car. The friend fell off, suffering catastrophic head injuries that are expected to be permanent. The driver in this case faces charges of aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle.
Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta emphasized the reckless nature of these actions, stating that while the teens did not intend to harm their friends, their actions were grossly negligent. The families of the victims are not seeking incarceration for the drivers but hope these cases will deter others from engaging in similar dangerous activities. The District Attorney's office has issued warnings about the severe consequences of participating in such social media challenges, urging young people to avoid these risky behaviors.