Twitch Streamer Isaiah Thomas Struck by Car During Cross-Country Charity Walk, Vows to Finish

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 dark blue Mazda that was following Thomas as a safety vehicle.
• Thomas was thrown out of camera view; his cart was thrown into the air and belongings scattered.
• He was hospitalized with a sprained ankle and bruising, released Thursday afternoon.
• Thomas was on day 34 of a planned 100-day, 3,000-mile walk from Philadelphia to California.
• His GoFundMe campaign had raised $52,000 of a $200,000 goal as of Thursday.
• The funds are intended to build HMBL University, a trade-based higher-education program.
• Police are investigating the incident, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s office.

A Livestream Captures the Moment of Impact

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 unfolded on Interstate 40 in Indiana, where Thomas was walking ahead of a dark blue Mazda serving as a safety vehicle. A silver sedan rear-ended the Mazda, propelling it forward into Thomas, who was knocked out of the camera’s view. His cart was thrown into the air, and his belongings scattered across the highway. Seconds later, Thomas returned to the camera, visibly shaken and missing a shoe, with scraped knees. A woman off-camera asked if he was okay, while viewers in the livestream chat posted messages of concern. Police and firefighters soon arrived and transported Thomas to the hospital, where doctors evaluated injuries to his neck, feet, and legs.

Hospitalization and Recovery

From a hospital bed, Thomas posted an Instagram video wearing a neck brace, thanking supporters and stating, “Appreciate everybody checking on me. God is the greatest, I’m good, just running some tests right now.” He was released on Thursday afternoon, having suffered 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.

A Mission to Build Trade-Based Education

Thomas, who also serves as a pastor and clothing designer, embarked on the 3,000-mile walk from Philadelphia to California on day 34 of a planned 100-day journey. His goal is to raise $200,000 to establish HMBL University, a trade-based higher-education program for students who cannot afford traditional 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.

Determination to Continue Despite Setback

Despite the accident, Thomas remains resolute. In his Instagram video, he declared, “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 plans to resume the walk from where he left off sometime this weekend. The crash has not deterred his commitment to completing the cross-country trek and reaching his fundraising target.

Broader Implications for Livestreaming and Safety

The incident highlights the risks inherent in livestreaming public events, particularly those involving travel on highways. Thomas’s use of a safety vehicle was intended to mitigate danger, but the chain-reaction crash underscores the unpredictability of road conditions. The livestream itself provided real-time documentation of the accident, drawing immediate attention from viewers and emergency services. As Thomas recovers and prepares to continue, the episode raises questions about safety protocols for content creators undertaking ambitious physical challenges.

The bottom line

• Twitch streamer Isaiah Thomas was hit by a car on I-40 in Indiana during a charity walk, captured on livestream.
• He suffered a sprained ankle and bruising, was hospitalized, and released Thursday.
• Thomas is on day 34 of a 100-day, 3,000-mile walk to raise $200,000 for a trade-based university.
• His GoFundMe had raised $52,000 as of Thursday; he plans to resume the walk this weekend.
• Police are investigating the crash; no charges have been announced.