Twitch Streamer Isaiah Thomas Hit by Car During Livestreamed Charity Walk

Key facts

• Isaiah Thomas, known online as hmblzayy or HMBL Zay, was struck by a car on Route 40 in Richmond, Indiana.
• The crash occurred on Tuesday, the 34th day of his 100-day cross-country walk.
• Thomas was walking to raise $200,000 to build HBML University, a trade-based higher-education program.
• His GoFundMe campaign had raised $52,000 as of Thursday.
• Thomas suffered sprained ankles and minor injuries; both drivers were unharmed.
• Police are investigating the incident, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s office.

A Charity Walk Interrupted by a Highway Collision

Isaiah Thomas, a 28-year-old Twitch streamer from Philadelphia, was hit by a car on Tuesday while livestreaming his cross-country charity walk. The incident occurred on Route 40 in Richmond, Indiana, where Thomas was walking from Philadelphia to California to raise money for a trade school. Thomas, who goes by hmblzayy or HMBL Zay online, had challenged himself to cover more than 3,000 miles in 100 days.

The Moment of Impact Captured on Livestream

Video from Thomas's livestream shows him walking ahead of a dark blue Mazda serving as a safety vehicle. A silver sedan rear-ended the Mazda, which then struck Thomas from behind on his right side. The impact threw Thomas's cart into the air and scattered his belongings across the highway. Thomas was knocked out of the camera's view but returned moments later, missing a shoe and with scraped knees.

Immediate Aftermath and Hospitalization

A woman off-camera asked if Thomas was okay, while viewers in the livestream posted messages of concern. Police and firefighters arrived and took Thomas to the hospital, where doctors checked his neck, feet, and legs. In an Instagram video from a hospital bed, Thomas wore a neck brace and said, 'Appreciate everybody checking on me. God is the greatest, I’m good, just running some tests right now.' He was released Thursday afternoon with a sprained ankle and bruising but no major injuries.

A Mission to Build a Trade School

Thomas, a pastor and clothing designer, launched the walk to raise $200,000 to build HBML University, a trade-based higher-education program for students who cannot afford college. The school would offer classes in fields including CNA work, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, carpentry, and medical technology. As of Thursday, his GoFundMe campaign had raised $52,000.

Determination to Continue Despite Setback

Despite the crash, Thomas said he still intends to complete the walk after a short rest. 'We going to finish this race. We ain’t going to let the devil win. We going to make sure we finish this marathon,' he said in an Instagram video. He hopes to resume walking this weekend. Thomas had previously been in a serious car accident six months ago and had to undergo therapy to learn to walk again.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Support

Police are investigating the incident, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s office. Thomas's livestream moderator provided police with a clip of the crash. Thomas expressed shock upon watching the video, saying, 'That's when I realised the impact.' The streamer, who normally walks facing traffic with reflectors, had accepted a fan's offer to drive behind him with hazard lights on, after obtaining police agreement.

The bottom line

• Isaiah Thomas was hit by a car on day 34 of his 3,000-mile charity walk, with the incident livestreamed.
• He suffered only minor injuries and was released from the hospital Thursday.
• Thomas's goal is to raise $200,000 for HBML University, a trade school for students who cannot afford college.
• His GoFundMe had raised $52,000 as of Thursday.
• Thomas plans to resume his walk this weekend despite the crash.
• Police are investigating the collision; both drivers were unharmed.