In yet another reckless display of entitlement, controversial streamer Jack Doherty is under fire for begging his followers for donations after he wrecked his $200,000 McLaren 570S while texting and driving in the rain. The 21-year-old social media star, who boasts millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, seemed more concerned with repairing his luxury car than reflecting on the consequences of his dangerous actions.
Doherty, whose reckless driving nearly cost him and his passenger their lives, took to TikTok Live just hours after the crash, calling on his loyal fanbase to help him “make back” his expensive sports car. In a tone-deaf display, he encouraged his viewers to “double-tap the stream” to hit a million likes, promising to follow back everyone who participated. The live stream quickly filled with thousands of comments, many mocking him and some simply calling him out for his juvenile behavior.
Instead of taking responsibility, Doherty brushed off the crash as if it were inevitable. “I literally hydroplaned,” he claimed, as if driving a supercar in pouring rain while distracted by his phone was something anyone would do. “You guys have never driven a McLaren,” he added dismissively, trying to downplay the danger he put himself and others in.
@dailymail Jack Doherty has defended himself after smashing his $300k McLaren while streaming on Kick. Despite not publicly responding to criticism, the YouTuber replied to comments on TikTok live as fans quizzed him on the crash. Doherty also faced backlash when he ‘begged’ fans to send him gifts on the live – with some users saying ‘donating money to a kid that drives multiple supercars is wild.’ #youtuber #influencer #stream #tiktoklive #livestream #money #mclaren ♬ original sound – Daily Mail
The reality is, this was no accident—it was an example of irresponsibility that could have easily ended in tragedy. Video footage shows Doherty holding his phone in one hand while driving down a slick Miami highway just seconds before losing control and slamming into a guardrail. His priority wasn’t safety or even checking on his injured friend; instead, he fixated on the damage to his prized McLaren, as if the car was the only casualty that mattered.
To make matters worse, Doherty didn’t stop streaming even after the crash. Two bystanders pulled him from the wreckage, and rather than ending the live feed to focus on the situation, he kept going. His bleeding friend, Michael, who was clutching his wrist and suffering from head wounds, was handed the phone so Doherty could continue engaging his audience. It’s a stunning example of how the lure of social media fame can lead influencers to exploit even life-threatening situations for content.
Kick, one of the platforms where Doherty had an audience of 185,000, was quick to respond by banning him. A spokesperson for the streaming site told NBC News, “We do not condone illegal activity, which is why we swiftly took action to ban this creator from the platform.” Despite his dangerous behavior, no charges have been filed against Doherty—yet.
Doherty later posted an apology on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude that both he and his friend survived the crash. “I’m so sorry, Michael, for putting you through that,” he wrote, though his focus seemed to remain on his own experience rather than the broader lesson.
But social media users were quick to condemn his actions, pointing out that his self-centered response missed the mark entirely. “You could’ve killed innocent people,” one user commented. Another added, “You didn’t even stop streaming after the crash… You wanted to keep milking the situation for content.”
This isn’t Doherty’s first brush with controversy. Earlier this year, he was sued for assault and battery after his security guard punched a man at a Halloween party in Los Angeles. His pattern of reckless and attention-seeking behavior continues, and this latest stunt only further highlights the dangers of a generation obsessed with social media fame at any cost.
We should be asking a crucial question: When did we become so obsessed with followers and likes that we’re willing to risk lives for it? Responsibility and accountability should still matter, even in the age of influencers.
