An Ohio meteorologist couldn’t hold back his reaction when the unexpected happened live on camera during a weather segment.
KJ Jacobs of ABC affiliate WCPO 9 later shared the startling moment he interrupted his own live traffic report in a video on social media.
Footage shows Jacobs sharing a live accident from outside FOX19’s Cincinnati station on Thursday, Aug. 6.
While on air using a green screen, Jacobs pointed out a disabled vehicle blocking the center lane of I-71 near Gilbert Avenue in the sitting lane.
He informed listeners that the car was causing traffic to slow down on both sides and the nearby ramp.
At that very moment, a vehicle coming off the ramp merged into traffic too early and smashed into the vehicle that was stopped.
“Oh s—t,” Jacobs said before putting his hand over his mouth in shame.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. We literally just watched a crash happen in real time. I almost said something inappropriate,” he continued. “But you can see this car just smash right into this car in real time.”
“That car was in the center lane with its hazards on. I was watching it closely,” the traffic anchor added.
He then noticed more drivers coming from the ramp and hopping off too early. He suggested the “impact” of the accident looked brutal.
“A natural reaction on LIVE TV, but I’m so glad I hit the brakes just in time!” Jacobs captioned the video on Instagram.
Supporters in his comments were cracking up at his on-camera reaction, pointing out that he definitely said something inappropriate on-air.
“Almost? Almost? Naw we all heard it,” said one person.
Meanwhile, two defenders said, “The didn’t close the ‘t’ on the word,” and “Don’t play him lol he ain’t let it all the way out.”
Others noted the switch-up in Jacobs’ voice, writing, “LMFAOOOOOOOO … work voice went away for a split second.”
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Refering to the irresponsible driver, one observer commented, “I’m sorry but what in the world was the car that hit them thinking??”
After the clip went viral, Jacobs told People he had never witnessed a crash happen live on camera while working in television news.
“Let’s just say I was stunned,” said the meterologist. “It was definitely one of the most unexpected moments I’ve experienced on air.”
He called the moment shocking and said his reaction was completely “genuine.”
“I rarely use profanity and certainly was a first close call for live TV,” he adds. “I was processing what I had just seen in real time, just like our viewers were.”
Fortunately, everyone involved escaped with relatively minor injuries. Cincinnati police also confirmed that officers on the scene cited the driver of the striking vehicle.
As for Jacobs, his split-second reaction may have become one of the most talked-about part of the broadcast, but the veteran reporter said his focus quickly returned to the people inside the crashed vehicles.
After more than a decade on live television, he called it the most unexpected moment of his career.
