Ricardo Irala Coronel, 19, was arrested after filming a daring stunt on a Paraguayan highway.
Ricardo Irala Coronel, 19, was arrested after filming a daring stunt on a Paraguayan highway.
A teenager has been arrested after nearly causing a truck to crash during a high-risk stunt filmed for TikTok.
In a video that has since gone viral, Ricardo David Irala Coronel is seen stepping on to a Paraguayan highway as a large yellow lorry hurtles toward him at high speed,the Sun reported.
The 19-year-old then spreads his legs and flails his arms, prompting the panicked truck driver to attempt a slight swerve.
With no safe place to turn and no time to brake, the now-wobbling truck barrels straight towards Irala Coronel, who steps out of harm’s way at the last moment, narrowly avoiding a potentially deadly collision.
The clip shows at least one other friend filming the incident from the roadside.
Alto Paraná police confirmed Irala Coronel was arrested after officers viewed the viral video, which shows a suspect stepping in front of a moving truck on Route PY02 at kilometre 18, according to NeedToKnow.
Local police said Ricardo Irala Coronel was shooting another TikTok video when they arrived to arrest him.
Arresting officer Deolinda Lezcano said the teen was in the middle of another video shoot when police located him.
“When he spotted the patrol car, he acted as if he were just standing at the side of the road,” she said.
However, the content creator claimed “everyone got the wrong idea”.
“I earn a bit from making videos and was saving up for a trip to Asunción,” he said.
“I was just filming, and people overreacted. I’m asking others not to do this, and, if they do, to be careful.”
He also alleged the truck driver was an acquaintance and supporter, who was in on the stunt, although police said they doubted this.
Chief Inspector Elvio Almada said the high-risk act could have been catastrophic.
“A sudden manoeuvre by the driver could have caused a rollover, a fatal crash, or the young man to be run over,” he said.
He added that an investigation had been launched and would continue until all involved parties, including friends who filmed the incident, were held responsible.
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