An influencer who created a viral clip with two women shooting fireworks from a helicopter at a $300,000 Lamborghini has finally been arrested and faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
If you've ever wondered how some YouTubers can pull off truly intellectually challenging stunts for views and get away with it, this might seem like a deserved retribution, or just an example of taxpayer money being used poorly. YouTube personality Suk Min Choi, also known as Alex Choi, with over a million subscribers, was arrested for the viral stunt filmed last year, one of many the YouTuber had previously posted.
The video, titled "Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks," shows two women firing fireworks from a helicopter at Choi, who is behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracan. The video was initially posted as a Fourth of July celebration but has since been removed from Choi's channel.
Twenty-four-year-old Alex Choi now faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if found guilty, according to the federal indictment accusing him of reckless endangerment of people or property. Given that the video is believed to have been filmed at El Mirage dry lake bed in San Bernardino County, practically in the middle of nowhere, this is hard to accept.
The helicopter pilot allegedly lost his license for operating recklessly and without a visible N-number. While the possibility of injury to Alex Choi, the women, or the film crew was real, it seems the YouTuber was an unfortunate scapegoat for law enforcement in this case.
There is growing discontent against YouTubers who perform dangerous stunts for views, sometimes resulting in damage to property, the environment, or people. Therefore, there is certainly a case for limiting some of the senseless stunts produced solely for entertainment and views. But if the creator of that stunt takes the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the surroundings and everyone involved, perhaps letting the foolishness (or bravery, however you may call it) run its course is the right way. If nothing else, it makes for entertaining content.
