Livestreamer promised B.C. man cash to drive car into sea: police

Police in Port Moody, B.C., say a 19-year-old man from the Lower Mainland could be charged after he allegedly drove his vehicle into the sea as part of a livestreamed video.

In a video of the stunt streamed on the live video platform Kick and later posted to X, YouTube and other social media sites, popular U.S.-based streamer Adin Ross can be seen talking with the man before he drives the car into the water.

In the video, Ross tells the man to state his full name and say, "Adin Ross is not liable for any of this."

After doing so, the man gets into his car and drives it into the ocean. He leaves it there and returns back to speak with Ross, who can be heard telling him, "Once I see that a towing company is there, I'll send money."

Shortly after, police arrive on the scene, apparently tipped off by internet activity.

WATCH | Man drives a car into the ocean as part of livestreamed stunt: 

Man arrested after allegedly driving car into the sea for livestream stunt

9 months ago

Duration 0:47

Port Moody police say they received a call reporting that a man was driving his vehicle into the Burrard Inlet at the boat launch because he was being paid to do so as part of a video livestream. A representative with the Port Moody police department called the incident "very reckless, careless." The U.S.-based streamer involved, Adin Ross, didn't respond to CBC News' request for comment.

Ross has 1.12 million subscribers on Kick, according to publicly viewable numbers on the platform. He did not respond to CBC News' request for comment.

Police tipped off by internet activity

Const. Sam Zacharias said officers were called to the city's Rocky Point boat launch at around 10 p.m. PT Monday.

He said the department was initially tipped off about the incident by the Vancouver Police Department. Officers in Vancouver received a call from someone out-of-province who was watching the livestream.

"Vancouver police were able to decipher it was taking place in Port Moody and they immediately notified us and we were on-scene within moments," said Zacharias.

Police said they arrested the driver at the scene and that he has since been released, while charges such as mischief and dangerous vehicle operation are being considered.

"This incident is very reckless, very careless. It's really concerning that someone would go to these lengths to pull off some social media stunt," he said.

Charges could be laid

Police are asking anyone with more information on the case, including video circulating on social media, to contact investigators.

Zacharias confirmed the man was promised financial compensation for the stunt.

At this point, Zacharias said, it's unclear whether Ross could also face charges.

"It is a criminal offence to aid and abet a criminal offence in Canada," Zacharias said. "The complexity here is we are dealing with somebody who does not live in Canada or anywhere locally."

Police said the car remained in the water for more than 12 hours before being removed, and could have damaged the surrounding environment. The boat launch where it happened remained closed to the public until Tuesday afternoon.