A quiet Friday night in downtown Brookdale took a chaotic turn when officers were called to assist a teenager found unconscious near a shopping plaza — clutching a fake ID and smelling strongly of alcohol. The incident, caught on police bodycam footage, quickly went viral after footage of the dramatic discovery was shared online.
According to the Brookdale Police Department, the call came in just before midnight when passersby spotted what they thought was a “drunk adult” slumped outside a convenience store. When paramedics and police arrived, they discovered the person was actually a nineteen-year-old college student who had apparently been using a fake ID to get into a local bar earlier in the evening.
“The ID said she was twenty-four,” said one responding officer in disbelief. “It looked good — holograms, photo, everything. You wouldn’t know unless you checked closely.”
Bodycam footage shows officers carefully checking the teen’s pulse before calling for medical support. After a few minutes, she regains consciousness, groggy and confused. “Where am I?” she can be heard asking as officers try to calm her down.
Authorities confirmed that she was transported to a nearby hospital for observation and later released to her parents. No criminal charges have been filed, but the case has sparked a renewed discussion about fake identification among underage drinkers — and how easily many of them are slipping past security checks.
“This situation could have ended very differently,” said Lt. Robert Hayes of the Brookdale PD. “Alcohol poisoning is no joke. She was lucky someone saw her and called for help.”
Online reaction to the video has been mixed. Some viewers expressed sympathy, noting that many teens make reckless mistakes without realizing how serious the consequences can be. Others criticized bars and clubs for not doing more to verify identification. “These fakes are too realistic now,” one commenter wrote. “It’s scary how simple it is to order one online.”
Experts say fake ID use has surged in recent years, fueled by cheap online vendors and digital design tools. “We’re seeing IDs that even fool scanners,” said a former security consultant. “They replicate micro-printing, barcodes, even UV watermarks. It’s a major issue for law enforcement.”
As for the teenager at the center of the viral clip, sources close to her family say she’s “deeply embarrassed” and wants her story to serve as a warning to others. “She’s lucky to be alive,” her mother reportedly told local news. “If someone hadn’t noticed her, she might not have woken up at all.”
Police have since reminded residents that possession or use of a fake ID is a misdemeanor offense that can carry serious penalties, including fines and a suspended driver’s license. “The short-term fun isn’t worth the long-term fallout,” Lt. Hayes added.
The viral video, which has been viewed over 3 million times, now serves as a sobering reminder of how one night of fun can quickly spiral into a near-disaster — and how a single good Samaritan call can make the difference between tragedy and a second chance.
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