Live television is having a moment and one reporter’s latest reaction to an unexpected incident is going viral.
KJ Jacobs, meteorologist and traffic anchor for WCPO 9 in Cincinnati, Ohio, was delivering a live traffic report on Aug. 9, when he witnessed a car crash happen in real time.
While reporting how traffic was slowing down around a stalled car that was in the center lane on I-71, another car appeared to merge onto the highway and slammed into the stalled vehicle.
“Oh sh..!” Jacobs quickly reacted, before composing himself and adding, “Oh, I’m so sorry. This literally, just watched the crash happen in real time, and I almost said something inappropriate. But you can see this car just smash right into this car in real time.”
Jacobs professionally continued his report, describing the scene at hand from the live shot.
“So just watch this in real time, that impact right there. Can imagine what that felt like and what it would have sounded like had I heard it,” he continued.
Jacobs shared the video on his Instagram, captioning the clip, “A natural reaction on LIVE TV, but I’m so glad I hit the brakes just in time!”
People in the comments section applauded his reaction, with one person writing, “Then immediately reported the whole accident in detail.. A NATURAL JOURNALIST.”
“He didn’t close the ‘t’ on the word,” another commented about his blooper.
Telemundo and “Owning Manhattan” star Genesis Suero also wrote, “It happens to the best of us, especially those of us who do live TV.”
Others complained about people’s poor driving skills and noted that the footage will be good for the stalled car’s insurance company to review.
However, one person pointed out that live TV has recently been delivering headline worthy clips.
“Between him & homegirl on QVC, live TV has been having a moment,” they wrote, referring to Toni Brattin accidentally having a NSFW moment while promoting her “Hair Fabulous” line of wigs live on QVC.
Last month, KTLA News reporter Rachel Menitoff kept her cool while a cockroach landed on her during a live report. Then there was FOX13 Memphis anchor Dominique Dillon who fell asleep on the air, three months after returning from maternity leave.
In her Aug. 5 interview on TODAY, Dillion told Craig Melvin and Laura Jarrett she “was mortified,” but appreciated the public’s kind words and messages of support.