A couple says an unintentionally large gulp of Coke Zero almost cost the entire family their lives. Here’s how it went down.
TikTok users Andrew & Avery (@drewandaves) are a married influencer couple with children who recently visited family in Texas. On that trip, something terrifying and unexpected happened. “Get unready with us while we tell you how Coke Zero almost [unalived] our whole family,” Andrew says to start the video.
The couple, who have 17,000 followers on their joint TikTok, explains that Andrew was driving them after leaving a family member’s house when Andrew took a sip of his Coke Zero. A few seconds later, he stopped the vehicle, clutched his chest, let out a burp, and promptly passed out.
“So Andrew passes out, completely limp. His foot is back on the gas at this point,” Avery recalls. “He hadn’t completed his turn yet. He’s just going straight onto this grassy area. We go up the curb. We’re going down this grassy area. We go over the gutter.”
Did Coke Zero Almost Unalive This Family?
The vehicle ends up in a creek bed along the roadside. “We crash on it—kind of on the underneath side of our car at an angle,” Avery says.
After the crash, Andrew regains consciousness as his oldest son starts yelling in fear. “That’s the first thing I remember, taking a drink of my Coke Zero and then hearing our oldest son yelling,” he says.
In the next few moments, the couple explains how passersby render aid to the family and call 911. An ambulance, they say, came took Andrew to a nearby hospital. “We end up going to the ER, and Andrew’s [case] is the craziest,” Avery says. “I ended up having a pseudo-seizure brought on by anxiety. I think it was just like my kids being OK.”
In addition to the seizure, she suffered multiple bruised and cracked ribs and a tear to her pectoral muscle. “But those were really the only injuries from the accident. It could’ve been much worse.”
But what do doctors think caused Andrew’s mysterious fainting spell?
“The doctor ended up coming back and saying really the only explanation was I took too big of a sip of Coke Zero—it caused my esophagus to expand. It hit my Vagus nerve, which apparently can cause your heart rate and your blood pressure to drop,” Andrew recounts. “And it knocked me out.”
“So, be careful drinking carbonated beverages while driving,” Avery adds.
In the caption, Andrew and Avery wrote, “PSA: Be careful drinking carbonated beverages while driving. A few weeks ago, we were in a car accident. While we’re playful and have high spirits in this video, it’s been challenging for our family to process.”
@drewandaves 🚨PSA: be careful drinking carbonated beverages while driving!🚨A few weeks ago we were in a car accident. While we’re playful and have high spirits in this video, it’s been challenging for our family to process. We are so deeply grateful to God for how this all unfolded, and wanted to share our freak accident. Who knew this could happen?! #storytime #accident #marriage #fyp #cokezero
Can Coke Zero Really Cause This?
According to the Mayo Clinic, vasovagal syncope is an overreaction by your nervous system to certain triggers. This trigger reduces blood flow to your brain and makes you pass out. Can a carbonated beverage like Coke Zero cause this in adults? It’s extremely rare, but, yes, it can and has in the past.
Viewers React
“As someone with a LOT of anxiety especially when things happen and the crash of it all after, I had NO idea psuedo seizures were a thing … I’m glad yall are safe omg,” one said.
“Holy shit. I hope this goes viral. I will never drink a carbonated drink while driving ever again. Thank you for posting this! I’m so glad that everyone’s okay!” another said.
“I had the same experience minus the crashing part … I found out the hard way that I can’t have caffeine,” a third wrote.
BroBible reached out to Andrew and Avery via email for comment. We also reached out to The Coca-Cola Company via email.