An Arizona truck driver, Danny Tiner, 38, was sentenced to 22½ years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of negligent homicide for a fatal crash that occurred in January 2023. The crash, which took place on Interstate 10 in Chandler, Arizona, resulted in the deaths of five people. Tiner was found to have been distracted by watching TikTok videos while driving his tractor-trailer at 68 mph in a 55 mph construction zone, leading to a tragedy now widely discussed as the “Arizona truck driver TikTok” incident.
The fatal crash, which occurred on January 12, 2023, in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10, a major highway southeast of Phoenix, has sparked significant public concern about the dangers of distracted driving, particularly when social media is involved. At the time, a portion of the road was closed due to an earlier crash involving multiple semi-trucks. Tiner’s distraction, due to TikTok, led to a six-vehicle collision, which included two commercial vehicles. The Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office conducted a thorough investigation, ultimately determining that Tiner was responsible for the crash, which has been referred to by many as the “TikTok death” case.
Tiner was arrested on June 29, 2023, after the investigation revealed the extent of his negligence. He was initially charged with multiple offenses, including five counts of manslaughter, four counts of endangerment, and one count of tampering with physical evidence. However, he later pleaded guilty to five counts of negligent homicide. For each count, he will serve 4½ years consecutively, totaling 22½ years in prison. Tiner will receive credit for the 415 days he spent in jail prior to sentencing.
The investigation revealed that Tiner was not only speeding in the construction zone but was also distracted by his cellphone, specifically by the TikTok application, at the time of the crash. He admitted to looking at a message on his electronic work tablet, and by the time he looked back at the road, traffic had stopped. Tiner was unable to react in time to avoid the collision.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety emphasized that this case marks the first time in the department’s history that a driver has been convicted for causing a fatal collision while distracted by social media. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell highlighted the recklessness of Tiner’s actions, stating, “As a driver, you have an obligation to pay attention to the road. To choose to access social media while driving, placing the lives of others on the line is reckless.”
Mitchell acknowledged that while the justice system cannot heal the pain of the five families who lost loved ones, it can ensure accountability. Tiner’s sentencing serves as a sobering reminder of the severe consequences of distracted driving, particularly in the context of the growing influence of platforms like TikTok.
