A popular car influencer known for posting drag racing videos on YouTube died in a high-speed crash near John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to the New York Police Department.
Andre Beadle, 25, lost control of his BMW sedan while traveling eastbound on the Nassau Expressway at approximately 1:12 a.m. on Wednesday, an NYPD spokesperson told NTD in a statement. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a metal pole, and then slid back across the eastbound lanes, ejecting Beadle from the car.
Emergency services rushed Beadle to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the statement. A 21-year-old passenger in the vehicle survived the crash but was injured.
Beadle, a Bronx resident, had amassed thousands of followers on social media from his driving videos, with 240,000 followers on Instagram and 59,000 subscribers on YouTube under the username 1Stockf30. Most of his content featured the young driver racing his purple BMW M240 on city streets and at a racing track in Pennsylvania.
The car influencer's death has drawn mixed reactions from both fans and critics alike.
Many supporters took to social media to thank Beadle for his contributions to the racing community and express their grief.
"The car scene lost a young King. You put NYC back on the map in a positive perspective. You gave our scene the respect we needed. Not just known for idiotic takeovers. You've gained the respect of many, and that will live on as your legacy. Rest easy, you will never be forgotten,” one comment read.
Many expressed their shock and sorrow at the news. Another Instagram user commented, "You are my idol brother, i wouldnt be who i am in racing without you, love you always [sic]," while another wrote, "Still processing this loss, very heart breaking."
One user said the accident was a lesson for other drivers who want to speed.
"I think the lesson here is drive safely and don’t speed! Someone loves you and wants to see you again!" the person wrote.
The global reach of the social media star’s influence was apparent, with condolences pouring in from as far as Brazil and Africa on Instagram.
The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash, according to the police statement.