A 19-year-old man has been arrested after nearly causing a lorry to crash in a reckless game of “chicken”.
A clip shows the teenager stepping into the path of an oncoming HGV from the side of the dual carriageway.
He is seen flailing his arms as if taunting the lorry driver, who visibly panics at the risk of tragedy.
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With no time to brake or room to swerve, the driver could only carry on and hope for the best.
The daredevil then jumped out of the way at the last second while his friends filmed from the roadside.
The highly dangerous stunt – caught on camera over the weekend in Minga Guazú, Paraguay – came to light after being posted on social media.
Ricardo David Irala Coronel was arrested on Monday (12 Jan) on suspicion of engaging in dangerous acts on the road, as reported by Need To Know.
“When we saw him, he was recording another video,” said officer Deolinda Lezcano.
“When he spotted the patrol car, he acted as if he were just standing at the side of the road.”
The Alto Paraná Police Department said: “The arrest followed the viral spread of a TikTok video showing the suspect stepping in front of a moving truck on Route PY02 at kilometre 18.
“After being seen again recording another video in the same area, he was apprehended and taken to the police station.”
Irala, who has been remanded in custody, told local media: “I earn a bit from making videos and was saving up for a trip to Asunción.
“Everyone got the wrong idea – I was just filming, and people overreacted. I’m asking others not to do this, and if they do, to be careful.”
He also claimed that the truck driver was an acquaintance who allegedly knew about and “supported” his videos – a claim police are sceptical of.
Chief Inspector Elvio Almada told local media: “A sudden manoeuvre by the driver could have caused a rollover, a fatal crash, or the young man to be run over.”
He added: “It’s obvious that someone is recording. The investigation will continue until all those involved are identified.”
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