TV anchor witnesses car crash live on air and briefly forgets he’s being filmed

| Senior TV Reporter Published August 7, 2026 4:30pm Updated August 7, 2026 4:30pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A TV anchor reacted in the most relatable way when two cars crashed into each other while the cameras were rolling. There’s nothing that brings the collective more joy than a harmless live TV snafu, whether accidentally dozing off at the desk or mentioning the phrase ‘blow job’ when you totally meant a blowout. Well, another iconic moment happened earlier this week when KJ Jacobs, the Traffic Anchor/Meteorologist at WCPO 9 in Cincinnati, was confronted with a real-time emergency during his regular traffic segment. It started with the media personality ironically pointing out that ‘traffic was slowing down’ around a stopped car in the middle of the highway. But he hardly got the words out when another vehicle from behind swung over into the lane and crashed straight into the halted car on the I-71 at Gilbert Ave. Immediately noticing the incident when he turned back to the screen, for a split second all sense of professional live reporting went out the window as he frantically declared: ‘Oh sh..’. TV anchor KJ and the audience all watched it go down in live time (Picture: WCPO 9) Luckily, remembering himself, the studio and the several cameras trained on him just in the nick of time, he cut himself off before finishing the swear word by clamping a shocked hand over his mouth. Addressing the audience, he said: ‘Oh I’m so sorry, literally just watched a crash happen in real time and I almost said something inappropriate.’ Pointing at the fender bender, he then launched into an explanation of what went down for any who might have missed it. It seems KJ’s employer had already predicted that his segments would be charming in their chaos, with his bio page reading: ‘Get ready to tune in for traffic and weather updates that are as informative as they are entertaining.’ He almost said the s-word but cut himself off halfway through (Picture: WCPO 9) Well, he’s certainly met that brief. KJ happily owned up to the on-air slip-up by posting the clip to his own social media to amuse his followers – taking the whole debacle in good jest. Over on his Instagram, he captioned the clip: ‘A natural reaction on LIVE TV, but I’m so glad I hit the brakes just in time!’ People were quick to share that they would have reacted the exact same way. ‘I see absolutely nothing wrong with your reaction,’ Jon Mischler commented. ‘The fact that we both said “Oh S**t” at the same time,’ Beconce Knowles shared. ‘That is the correct reaction sir,’ Jeffrey Los joked. ‘That was all of our reaction. VERY VALID,’ Michael Garcia said. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you At least KJ can rest easy in the knowledge his knee-jerk reaction is shared by countless others. TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.