The acronym YOLO has exploded in popularity over the past few months, mainly on social networks like Twitter and Facebook. A song by rapper Drake popularized the phrase. It stands for “You Only Live Once,” and it usually attempts to excuse a risky decision. Now, it may carry dark undertones after its association with a fatal car accident in Ontario, California.
An aspiring rapper tweeted the phrase (“Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #F**kItYOLO”) moments before the car carrying himself and four friends ran a red light and crashed into a wall. Erwin McKiness was a rising rap star in South California who went by the names Jew’elz and Inkyy. Police say that his tweet may be misleading, since his friend Jonathon Watson, 21, was allegedly driving at the time, not McKiness.
Another tweet prior to the accident is causing police to suspect the driver was under the influence: “Driving tweeting sipping the cup f**k yolo I’m turning it up”.
One man died at the hospital, and the other four died at the scene of the accident. Police are still investigating the accident.
Distracted driving and alcohol are both major factors in car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that distractions were present in 18 percent of traffic accident injuries, and that 39 percent of traffic fatalities involved alcohol.
Our prayers go out to the friends and family members of the young men who died in this tragic accident. If you know anyone who died in an accident involving either a drunk or distracted driver, talk to us. We understand how painful this period is and how many important decisions you need to make. There is no charge for our first conversation.
“For he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” – Luke 1:15