Orlando YouTuber Places Motorists at Risk with Own Stunt Videos

The permeation of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have radically transformed our notions of celebrity and fame. Though these mediums, thousands upon thousands of individuals seek adoration from millions of fans across the world, and any one of us can use them as a platform to launch our own bid for recognition. One such man, Jake Anthony Bigby, has managed to acquire an impressive following on YouTube through videos of himself performing dangerous stunts on his bicycle around the Orlando area.

While Bibgy pulls most stunts off without a hitch, each of them places not only himself but the motorists around him—who are not intentionally or willingly involved in his videos—in danger. An occurrence this past June highlights the thoughtless nature of his actions and the increasing likelihood that someone else will become injured as a result of Bigby’s juvenile desire for public adoration.

While driving on State Road 535, right around the point where it crosses under the overpass for I-4, Bigby attempted to do a standard wheelie while filming himself. Rather than attempt the trick on an empty road, an action that would at least remove the possibility of an unsuspecting bystander becoming involved, Bigby waited until a car drove up beside him. The video of the event shows the front wheel of the bike beginning to lift off the pavement while Bigby, who apparently was not prepared for his own stunt, falls off the seat. He bounced across the pavement a couple times and, according to the GoFundMe website that he started to help pay for his medical bills, broke his left ankle.

In addition to the obvious dangers that such a childish action creates, Florida law states that both wheels of a motorcycle must always be on the ground (unless, of course, road conditions or other unforeseeable circumstance makes this impossible). Failure to comply with this statute is considered a moving violation and can lead to a $1,000 fine.

Steven Montiero, a spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol, said that Bigby has been under investigation since April. The authorities consider Bigby’s underwhelming stunts a threat to public safety. In an official statement, Montiero goes on to say that Bigby’s actions could easily result in a deadly accident involving other cars, a fact that Bigby has either never considered or simply does not care about.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.