CENTRAL, La. (WAFB) – The Central Police Department has issued a warning about a dangerous new social media challenge that officers say caused a major accident on the Central Thruway.

According to police, a northbound vehicle went off the road Monday afternoon, Oct. 28, while approaching the Central Thruway intersection with Frenchtown Road. The vehicle crossed the median and struck a southbound vehicle before coming to a stop and catching fire.

Police said statements from witnesses and the drivers involved indicate the northbound driver was playing a game of “drifting” or a challenge featured on social media platforms TikTok and YouTube when he lost control of the vehicle.

Witnesses reported seeing the northbound vehicle repeatedly weave back and forth onto O’Neal Lane before entering the city. They said the vehicle sometimes “checks the brakes” of other cars on the road.

According to officials, drift is loosely defined as intentional oversteer that causes a loss of traction.

Police are urging parents to warn their children against participating in this extremely dangerous activity.

“A young driver learned tonight that these challenges have real-world consequences,” police said. “Fortunately for all involved, no one was seriously injured.”

The crash caused a partial closure of the Central Thruway.

RELATED: Increased patrols to stop speeding in Central City

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