Twitch Streamer Isaiah Thomas Struck by Car on Charity Walk, Vows to Finish 3,000-Mile Trek

Key facts

• Isaiah Thomas, known online as HMBL Zay, was hit by a car on I-40 in Indiana on Tuesday.
• The crash occurred when a silver sedan rear-ended a safety vehicle, which then struck Thomas.
• Thomas was on day 34 of a 100-day, 3,000-mile walk from Philadelphia to California.
• He suffered a sprained ankle and bruising but no major injuries; was released from hospital Thursday.
• Thomas aims to raise $200,000 for HMBL University, a trade-based education program.
• His GoFundMe had raised $52,000 as of Thursday.
• Police are investigating the incident, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's office.

Crash Captured on Livestream

Isaiah Thomas, a 28-year-old Twitch streamer from Philadelphia, was struck by a car on Tuesday while livestreaming his charity walk across the United States. The incident occurred along Interstate 40 in Indiana, where Thomas was walking ahead of a dark blue Mazda serving as his safety vehicle. A silver sedan rear-ended the Mazda, propelling it forward into Thomas, who was knocked out of the camera's view. Video from the livestream shows Thomas’ cart being thrown into the air and his belongings scattering across the highway. Seconds later, Thomas returned to the camera, missing a shoe and with scraped knees. A woman off-camera asked if he was okay, while viewers posted messages such as “OMG are u okay” and “prayers up chat.” Police and firefighters soon arrived and took Thomas to the hospital.

Injuries and Hospitalization

At the hospital, Thomas said doctors were checking injuries to his neck, feet, and legs. In an Instagram video from a hospital bed, he wore a neck brace and thanked supporters. “Appreciate everybody checking on me,” he said. “God is the greatest, I’m good, just running some tests right now.” He was released on Thursday afternoon with a sprained ankle and bruising but no major injuries. He is currently recovering in a hotel. The Wayne County Sheriff’s office confirmed that police are investigating the incident.

Charity Mission and Fundraising

Thomas, who also works as a pastor and a clothing designer, launched the 3,000-mile trek on day 34 of his 100-day journey. His goal is to raise $200,000 to build HMBL University, a trade-based higher-education program he designed for students who cannot afford college. The program would offer classes in fields such as CNA work, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, carpentry, and medical technology. As of Thursday, his GoFundMe campaign had raised $52,000 toward the $200,000 target. Despite the accident, Thomas remains determined to complete the walk. “We going to finish this race,” he said in his Instagram video. “We ain’t going to let the devil win. We going to make sure we finish this marathon.”

Plans to Resume the Walk

Thomas still intends to finish the cross-country journey and hopes to resume walking from where he left off sometime this weekend. He did not respond to a request for comment. The crash has not deterred his resolve, and he continues to receive support from his online community. The incident highlights the risks faced by content creators who livestream real-world activities, especially those involving long-distance travel on highways. Thomas’ decision to continue underscores his commitment to his cause.

Broader Context of Livestreaming and Safety

The crash occurred while Thomas was broadcasting live to his Twitch audience, a platform known for interactive streaming. His walk, which began in Philadelphia, was intended to raise awareness and funds for educational access. The accident has drawn attention to the vulnerability of pedestrians on highways, even when accompanied by a safety vehicle. As Thomas recovers, his story serves as a testament to the intersection of digital content creation and real-world philanthropy. The investigation by local authorities will likely examine the circumstances of the rear-end collision.

The bottom line

• Isaiah Thomas was hit by a car on I-40 in Indiana during a livestreamed charity walk.
• He suffered a sprained ankle and bruising but was released from hospital on Thursday.
• The crash was caused by a rear-end collision involving his safety vehicle.
• Thomas is raising $200,000 for HMBL University, a trade-based education program.
• His GoFundMe has raised $52,000 so far.
• He plans to resume his walk this weekend and complete the 3,000-mile journey.