THIS is the moment a 19-year-old man narrowly avoided death after stepping directly into the path of an oncoming lorry during a reckless roadside game of “chicken”.
Footage circulating online shows the teenager moving from the edge of a dual carriageway and into the road just as a heavy goods vehicle approaches at speed.
A 19-year-old boy narrowly avoided death while playing a reckless game of “chicken”Credit: Jam Press
Footage online shows the teenager moving from the edge of a dual carriagewayCredit: Jam Press
A heavy good vehicle is seen approaching at high speedsCredit: Jam Press
As the 12-wheeler lorry bears down on him, he can be seen flailing his arms in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to taunt the driver.
The driver is left visibly panicked by the sudden appearance of the teenager in front of the vehicle and the immediate risk of a catastrophic collision.
With no time available to brake and no space to swerve out of the way, the driver had no option but to continue forward and hope the situation did not end in tragedy.
Moments later, the teenager jumps out of the road at the last possible second, narrowly avoiding the lorry as it passes.
The stunt was filmed by his friends, who remained at the roadside while the incident unfolded.
The highly dangerous act was caught on camera over the weekend in Minga Guazú, Paraguay, before being shared on social media.
The footage later came to the attention of authorities after it was posted online.
Ricardo David Irala Coronel was arrested on Monday on suspicion of engaging in dangerous acts on the road, according to NeedToKnow.
“When we saw him, he was recording another video,” said officer Deolinda Lezcano.
“When he spotted the patrol car, he acted as if he were just standing at the side of the road.”
The Alto Paraná Police Department said the arrest followed the viral spread of a TikTok video showing the suspect stepping in front of a moving truck on Route PY02 at kilometre 18.
Officers said that after he was seen again recording another video in the same area, he was apprehended and taken to the police station.
Irala has since been remanded in custody.
Speaking to local media, he said: “I earn a bit from making videos and was saving up for a trip to Asunción.”
“Everyone got the wrong idea – I was just filming, and people overreacted. I’m asking others not to do this, and if they do, to be careful.”
He also claimed that the truck driver was an acquaintance who allegedly knew about and “supported” his videos, a claim police say they are sceptical of.
Chief Inspector Elvio Almada warned that the consequences could have been far more serious.
“A sudden manoeuvre by the driver could have caused a rollover, a fatal crash, or the young man to be run over,” he said.
He added: “It’s obvious that someone is recording. The investigation will continue until all those involved are identified.”
With no time available to brake and no space to swerve out of the way, the driver had no option but to continue forwardCredit: Jam Press
The stunt was filmed by his friends, who remained at the roadside while the incident unfoldedCredit: Jam Press
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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