The dangerous YouTube challenge that cost the life of a 5-year-old boy
This is the image of an accident that was fatal for a five-year-old boy. It was caused by 'The Borderline', an Italian group of YouTubers specialized in online challenges and jokes in dubious taste. This time, they went too far.
The absolutely absurd tragedy was the result of what they call 'viral challenges.'
Photo: The Borderline / Youtube
The objective of 'The Borderline', as the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on the event, was to drive a Lamborghini Urus for 50 hours without leaving the car. The five YouTubers would take turns driving. It was a challenge that they had already completed on another occasion, with a Fiat 500.
Photo: The Borderline / Youtube
Four of the five members of the group were going to participate in the challenge, with the aim of continuing to increase their number of subscribers on YouTube: 600,000 at the time of the accident.
Photo: Matteo Dipietroy / Instagram
The challenge was narrated live by the members of 'The Borderline' through TikTok and Instagram. Hours of driving went by between laughter and accumulated fatigue.
Photo: Matteo Dipietroy / Instagram
The Lamborghini Urus they used is a supercar: over 5 meters long, 2 tons in weight, 650 horsepower, and capable of exceeding 300 km/h.
Photo: Vito Loiacono / TikTok
However, as fate would have it, a mother crossed the path of 'The Borderline'. Oblivious to any viral challenges, she just wanted to take her 3-year-old daughter Aurora to daycare in her Smart Forfour.
Next to her, in the passenger seat, sat her eldest son, Manuel, of 5 years. He had no chance to survive when the Lamborghini Urus from 'The Borderline' collided violently with the Smart.
Photo: Matteo Dipietroy / Instagram
It happened in Casal Palocco, a residential area of Rome.
Photo: Via Di Macchia Saponara (Rome) / Google Maps
According to Italian media, the supercar was traveling at high speed in the opposite direction. Its crash with the Smart car ended the life of the 5-year-old boy and injured the mother and daughter.
Photo: Vito Loiacono / TikTok
Despite arriving at the Grassi Hospital alive, the 5-year-old would end up dying shortly after arriving by ambulance. The prognosis for the mother and daughter is carefully optimistic.
Photo: Mat Napo / Unsplash
The YouTubers involved in the accident were arrested. All the mobile phones and other recording devices they were carrying, were confiscated.
Photo: Matteo Dipietroy / Instagram
According to the Italian press, the father of the deceased child appeared at the scene of the accident and tried to attack the driver of the Lamborghini Urus. He was held back by the people present at the scene.
Photo: Vito Loiacono / Instagram
After subjecting the driver to the pertinent drink and substance tests (both were negative), the police realized the circumstances of the accident: a 50-hour driving challenge. Then, The Borderline as a group became the subject of investigation.
Photo: Youtube
In fact, among the videos they shared during the challenge, there was one recorded at the dealership where they rented the car. The owner of the dealership has distanced himself from the challenge.
Photo: Matteo Dipietroy / Instagram
Pending the police investigations and the charges brought against the YouTubers, the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri (in the image), offered his condolences to the family. "I hope the mother and little girl recover soon and the police find out what happened as soon as possible."