YouTuber Accused of Derailing a Train for a Prank

4.3

A YouTube prankster is facing two felony charges after reportedly derailing a freight train in Nebraska for a video stunt. The dangerous act caused $350,000 in damages and has led to severe legal repercussions for the teenage YouTube content creator, highlighting the serious consequences of such reckless behavior.

Pranks have long been a popular form of entertainment, captivating audiences with their unexpected twists and humorous outcomes. The rise of social media has elevated this trend, providing a platform for dedicated channels to thrive and reach a vast audience. However, the pursuit of viral fame has sometimes led content creators to take pranks to extreme levels, resulting in severe consequences. A stark example occurred in April 2023 at a Virginia mall, where a YouTube prankster was shot in the stomach after executing what he thought was an innocent joke on a man.

Following in the footsteps of other YouTube prank incidents, this latest one involved a 17-year-old boy who is facing two counts of criminal mischief over $5,000, classified as class IV felonies, in Lancaster County court for causing $350,000 in damages due to a train derailment on April 21. According to the New York Post, the derailment occurred when a switch was allegedly misaligned, leading two locomotives and five loaded railcars to collide with an empty car. The boy, a train enthusiast, was filming the incident and reported it to authorities, claiming the switch was flipped incorrectly. The five-minute YouTube prank video titled "MOST INSANE VIDEO I'VE EVER TAKEN!" is available on his channel and has generated over half a million views.

Extent of Damages in Alleged YouTube Prank Train Derailment
$350,000

Investigators, who later matched surveillance footage of the scene to the boy's vehicle, suspect he tampered with the switch despite his denial. The Lancaster County Attorney's office has filed a motion to move the case from juvenile to county court, intending to try him as an adult. The boy is not in police custody, and his next court date is yet to be set. While it remains to be seen how this case will progress, the incident shows the need for content creators to exercise caution and responsibility, as the quest for viral fame can lead to serious consequences.

Another notable example of a content creator prank gone wrong occurred last year involving a 35-year-old mother of infant twins who had epilepsy due to cancer. While she was shopping, a group of teenage boys performed a TikTok prank by placing a bucket over her head. This caused her to panic and triggered an epileptic seizure, resulting in her losing consciousness and requiring hospitalization.