Teen Driver Who Caused Crash Had Eyes Covered For 'Bird Box Challenge': Cops

The teen reportedly pulled her hat down over her eyes and veered her truck into oncoming traffic.

January 14, 2019
“Bird Box Challenge” crashed vehicles [Layton Police Department]

“Bird Box Challenge” crashed vehicles [Layton Police Department]

“Bird Box Challenge” crashed vehicles [Layton Police Department]

By: Mike McPadden

LAYTON, UT — According to local police, a 17-year-old drove into oncoming traffic and caused a multi-vehicle accident after she covered her eyes as part of the “Bird Box Challenge” — an online craze inspired by the Netflix movie Bird Box in which participants perform tasks blindfolded.

The driver, who was accompanied by a 16-year-old passenger, allegedly pulled her hat down over her eyes and careened her pick-up truck into the opposite lane of Layton Parkway.

She struck a car being driven by a 56-year-old man, and then crashed into a light pole. Amazingly, no injuries were reported, but both vehicles are totaled.

According to Layton Police Lieutenant Travis Lyman, who took the driver into custody:

“Apparently, as a part of this ‘Bird Box Challenge,’ [the driver] used her beanie to pull over her eyes as she was driving on Layton Parkway, and she ended up losing control of her car and skidded into the westbound lanes of Layton Parkway and hit another car and ended up hitting a light pole as well.”

In the sci-fi film Bird Box, characters must operate through the world with their eyes masked or they’ll die instantly. The hugely popular hit generated memes and then online videos of people taking the “Bird Box challenge” to do ordinary things while blindfolded. Driving, despite being a terrible idea, has been one of them.

In rapid fashion, reports emerged of injuries resulting from the “Bird Box challenge.” On January 2, Netflix itself issued a safety warning via Twitter. The company made references to Bird Box characters Boy and Girl, and officially tweeted:

“Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE. We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.”

Lyman went on to say that the incident is still being investigated, but that police have asked the district attorney’s office to approach this as a case of reckless driving. The veteran officer added:

"With driving, the stakes are so high anyway that it's just inexcusable to do something as dangerous as this, not only to yourself but everyone else on the road. It's just such serious business driving a car…. I thought the ‘Tide Pod Challenge’ — I was really speechless on that one — but this one is kind of the same.”

The driver has not been identified due to her age. Potential charges are still pending.

Next Up

Bystander’s Quick Response Saves Little Girl After Car Crashes Into Her Home

Despite having no medical training, he realized the victim’s throat was bleeding profusely and removed his shirt to apply it to the wound.

Teen Lashaya Stine Is Missing; Her Mom Fears Sex Trafficking

“She needs to try and get away from whatever it is. If she can get to me, I will protect her. I will do anything to protect her,” her mother, Sabrina Jones, emphasizes.

Body-Cam Video Shows Train Hitting Police Car With Woman Handcuffed Inside

Platteville police officers left Yareni Rios-Gonzalez handcuffed inside a cruiser parked on train tracks. When a train came barrelling towards the car she was hit and sustained severe injuries.

'In Pursuit With John Walsh' Season 3 Premiere Recap

John Walsh and his son Callahan are getting back to finding fugitives and getting justice for victims. Do you have information about any of these three cases?

‘Devoted’ Father Pushes 5-Year-Old Son Out Of Harm’s Way In Hit-And-Run Accident

The incident left dad David Isaiah Espinoza in a coma with broken ankles and a fractured skull.

‘Fight, Fight, Fight’: 2 Teenagers Escape Armed Kidnapper Thanks To Survival Skill Training

One girl, 14, said she ‘finally won’ after battling the man who was holding her and a friend captive.

New True Crime Special 'Michelle Carter: Love, Texts & Death' Explores How Texts Can Have Dire Consequences

The two-hour special streams on discovery+ and premieres on ID Tuesday, September 7 at 9/8c.

California Doctor Allegedly Drove Family Off Cliff On Purpose

On Jan. 2, 2023, a 41-year-old doctor drove his Tesla off a Northern California cliff with his family inside. All four survived the crash and he is now being charged with attempted murder and child abuse.

Amber Alert Canceled After Abducted 13-Year-Old Girl Escapes Kidnapper

A 13-year-old girl was kidnapped from her home in Reading, Pennsylvania on Aug. 31, 2022. Later that day, the girl was found over a hundred miles away.

Texas Cheerleaders Shot After Mistakenly Getting In The Wrong Car

Payton Washington and Heather Roth were shot on April 18 after one of the girls accidentally got in the wrong car in a shopping center parking lot.