Taichung Drunk Driving Case: Family Awaits Second Instance Verdict, Hopes for Justice

The Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch held a hearing today, where Mr. Chen, the victim's father, presented a statement. He stated that the reason for the appeal was simple: the sentence was too light. He believed that the first instance did not deliver fair justice because 10 years was too lenient. Mr. Chen believed that although this was a drunk driving case, its essence was the perpetrator's actions, which were on a path that would inevitably harm others. Long-term unlicensed and dangerous driving meant he was not even qualified to be on the road, yet the perpetrator drove a large SUV at excessive speeds and ran multiple red lights, like driving a killing machine recklessly on the road. Mr. Chen said that just five days after the first-instance verdict in his son's case, another drunk driving fatality occurred in Tainan. He felt sorrow for the victims and their families and anger that such tragedies continue to happen. Mr. Chen argued that drunk driving repeatedly causes harm and takes lives, and a major reason is that the deterrent effect of Taiwan's judicial sentences is insufficient. He hopes that the judiciary will achieve fair justice, make the perpetrator pay the appropriate price, and free Taiwanese society from the fear of drunk driving accidents. The case concluded its辯論 today, and the collegiate panel announced that the second-instance verdict will be delivered at 10 AM on the 28th. According to the prosecutor's indictment, 23-year-old Wu, after drinking with friends, drove a car without a license at 3:44 AM on March 8, 2025. While driving on Section 3, Liming Road, Xitun District, Taichung, he ran a red light and collided with a motorcycle ridden by a university student surnamed Chen. Wu fled the scene after the accident and did not report it. Mr. Chen fell to the ground, suffering head trauma with intracranial hemorrhage, skull fracture, cervical spine fracture, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage. He died after being sent to the hospital. Police were notified and apprehended Wu at around 5 AM that morning. His breath alcohol test showed 0.37 mg per liter. After investigation, the prosecutor indicted him for causing death by drunk driving and hit-and-run. The Taichung District Court's National Lay Judge Tribunal sentenced Wu to 9 years for causing death by drunk driving and 5 years for hit-and-run in December last year, with a combined sentence of 10 years. The case was heard by the Taichung High Court after the victim's family appealed. (Editor: Long Boan) 1150409