Mount Clemens, MI – Recently, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has seen an uptick in dangerous incidents involving “car surfing.” MCSO believes this is in response to a social media challenge/trend for “car surfing” seen across multiple social media platforms.
Car surfing involves riding on the outside of a moving vehicle being driven by another person. It is crucial to understand this activity is incredibly dangerous, and the consequences can be fatal.
Over the past month, MCSO has responded to three incidents of individuals engaging in this incredibly dangerous behavior.
- On June 21, Deputies responded to an incident in a parking lot at 59041 Gratiot Avenue in New Haven. A juvenile fell from the rooftop of a 2012 Kia Optima operated by another juvenile. The driver admitted thinking it would be “fun” to drive around with the friend on the roof of the vehicle. The injured juvenile was transported to a local hospital for a head laceration and multiple abrasions but was otherwise in stable condition. The juvenile driver was charged with Reckless Driving.
- On July 19, Deputies responded to Iroquois Middle School for an injured juvenile who had fallen off the rear of a moving Ford Escape operated by another juvenile in the parking lot listed. The injured juvenile suffered a skull fracture and brain bleed; but as of this morning is in stable condition. The juvenile driver was subsequently lodged for OWI causing serious injury and reckless driving.
- On July 21, Deputies responded to Romeo High School for an injured juvenile. The juvenile fell from the roof of a 2017 Dodge Challenger operated by another juvenile in the parking lot of the listed. The driver admitted to driving while his friends were “Car Surfing”. The injured juvenile suffered injuries to his head and ear and was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The juvenile driver was cited for Reckless Driving.
“The MCSO takes these incidents of “car surfing” very seriously,” stated Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham. “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.”
No thrill or adrenaline rush is worth sacrificing your life or the lives of your friends or family members. Here are a few essential points to keep in mind:
- 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,” concluded Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham.
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