A post by an Instagram influencer Juan Gonzalez caused gridlock at a busy Phoenix intersection on Sunday when he promised to provide $10,000 worth of free gasoline at an Arco gas station, according to local news reports.
“Just put a $10,000 credit at this gas station’s pumps. First come first serve. No gas cans allowed. When you’re done filling up leave the pump on the ground for the next person so it doesn’t reset. See you here 2902 N 16th St Phoenix, AZ 85016 United States.” Gonzalez posted on Instagram on Sunday.
He regularly pays for goods and services at businesses in the Phoenix area to promote his That Was Epic digital and social media presence and apparel shop. He did the same at Juanderful Tacos in Phoenix on Saturday, paying for $10,000 in food and beverages on a first come, first served basis until the amount was exhausted.
Gonzalez is a Mexican-American social media influencer with an estimated net worth of $2.27 million who generates most of his income from YouTube, as well as Instagram and brand-collaboration sponsorships, according to YouTube Wiki.
Phoenix police put out social media posts during the event urging motorists to avoid the area because of the traffic concerns generated by the giveaway.
Gonzalez posted on his Instagram feed that the event got shut down because the huge line of cars trying to get into the gas station caused a traffic jam.
“We are getting shut [down],” Gonzalez said in a video accompanying his Instagram post. “There’s a massive, massive traffic jam. … We're not accepting any more people, but we did help out as many people as we could. … But it's getting too dangerous. All the streets in the area are backed up and they're telling me that ambulances and stuff can't get through.”
He did not indicate how much of the $10,000 he spent.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.