Live television is having a moment and one reporterβs 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.
βOh sh..!β Jacobs quickly reacted, before composing himself and adding, βOh, Iβm 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.β
Jacobs professionally continued his report, describing the scene at hand from the live shot.
βSo 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,β he continued.
Jacobs shared the video on his Instagram, captioning the clip, βA natural reaction on LIVE TV, but Iβm so glad I hit the brakes just in time!β
People in the comments section applauded his reaction, with one person writing, βThen immediately reported the whole accident in detail.. A NATURAL JOURNALIST.β
βHe didnβt close the βtβ on the word,β another commented about his blooper.
Telemundo and βOwning Manhattanβ star Genesis Suero also wrote, βIt happens to the best of us, especially those of us who do live TV.β
Others complained about peopleβs poor driving skills and noted that the footage will be good for the stalled carβs insurance company to review.
However, one person pointed out that live TV has recently been delivering headline worthy clips.
βBetween him & homegirl on QVC, live TV has been having a moment,β they wrote, referring to Toni Brattin accidentally having a NSFW moment while promoting her βHair Fabulousβ 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 βwas mortified,β but appreciated the publicβs kind words and messages of support.
As for Jacobs, his traffic segment began getting more views. In the comments section, he shared that he was βstunned by the reaction.β
βThank you to everyone who has watched, liked, commented, shared, and followed,β he wrote. βThe encouragement from friends, family, longtime viewers, and so many new faces has been overwhelming in the best way.β
He added that he never imagined the oops moment would reach so many people across the country.
βIβm grateful youβre here, and I hope youβll stick around for more weather, traffic, and a few laughs along the way,β he said. βThank you!β