A dangerous TikTok stunt has left one man with a life-changing brain injury and landed Connor Pace, 23, in hot water with the law.
Bonnet Ride Gone Horribly Wrong
On the evening of 17 January, Pace met up with car enthusiasts at Ravenside Retail Park, Bexhill. Inspired by a viral TikTok trend, the group talked about riding on the bonnet of a moving car.
Pace, a bus driver from St Helens Park Road, Hastings, let a friend climb onto the bonnet of his Seat Leon while it was stationary. He then drove around the car park for 17 seconds. The friend fell off, hitting his head hard.
Victim Suffers Severe Brain Injury
The injured man from St Leonards was rushed to hospital. He remained unconscious for nearly a month. Doctors confirmed he had a traumatic brain injury, requiring multiple surgeries and ongoing care.
“The incident has left me severely impacted both physically and mentally,” the victim said.
His mother, who returned from Cornwall to care for him full-time, added that the event had “changed her life forever.”
Guilty Plea and Court Sentence
Pace initially denied wrongdoing but was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Police used witness statements and CCTV footage in their investigation. He later pleaded guilty.
On 26 November at Lewes Crown Court, Pace was handed a 16-month suspended sentence for two years. His driving licence was revoked for two years. He must also complete 300 hours of unpaid work and wear an electronic tag from 8pm to 8am for eight weeks. To drive again, he faces an extended driving test.
Detective Constable David Symonds condemned the stunt: “The defendant’s actions were mindless and irresponsible. Cars are powerful machines capable of causing serious injury. This incident has irreparably changed both lives.”
