Man Suspected of Drug Driving Hits Officer, Released Without Bail; Changhua Mayor to Petition Control Yuan

(CNA, reporter Cheng Wei-chen, Changhua, 7th) In Changhua County, a man surnamed Shi, suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, refused a police check, reversed his car, and ran over a police station chief surnamed Chen, causing fractures in both legs. The case has been sent for prosecution on charges including obstructing official duties. The Changhua District Prosecutors Office's request for detention was denied by the court, which ordered his release without bail. The prosecution will file an appeal, and Changhua Mayor Lin Se-hyeon will also petition the Control Yuan to investigate for any potential misconduct.

The Taiwan Changhua District Prosecutors Office issued a press release today stating that on the 4th, Chief Chen of the Puyan Precinct, Xihu Branch, Changhua County Police Bureau, and officer Chao were visiting a known drug user, a man surnamed Shi. Shi, who was driving a car, noticed the police car behind him and immediately fled, clearly refusing to be interviewed.

After Shi entered a dead-end alley, Chief Chen knocked on his window and ordered him to open the door. Shi suddenly reversed and then moved forward, accelerating to escape. The chief was sideswiped by the car, fell to the ground, and then had both legs run over by the vehicle, resulting in fractures. The chief then fired a warning shot into the air to signal him to stop, but Shi continued to flee. Officer Chao used a baton to break the car window and subdued him, injuring his own hand in the process.

Prosecutors stated that Shi tested positive for both amphetamine and etizolam (commonly known as "zombie drug") via a saliva rapid test, indicating suspected drug driving. The entire case was transferred to the District Prosecutors Office for investigation on suspicion of obstructing official duties, public endangerment by drug driving, and assault.

After questioning, the prosecutor deemed the suspicion against Shi to be significant. In addition to a prior drug record, he has a history of hit-and-run and assault. This time, he again resisted a check and fled by car, injuring a police officer. Disregarding the law and being a known drug user, his preliminary test was positive for etizolam, making drug driving highly probable. The prosecutor argued that without detention, there would be concerns of him endangering public safety, and thus applied to the Taiwan Changhua District Court for preventive detention.

The Changhua District Court ruled for release without bail, stating that the evidence presented by the prosecutor was insufficient to demonstrate that the defendant was a flight risk or likely to repeatedly commit the same crime. The prosecution, disagreeing with the ruling, will file an appeal.

The Changhua Prosecutors Office said that the problem of drug driving is severe, and recently, prosecutors' applications for preventive detention have been approved by the court in over 10 cases. For a ruling that ignores evidence, violates empirical rules and social norms, and clearly disregards the safety of the public and law enforcement personnel, the District Prosecutors Office will resolutely file an appeal to express its solemn stance and hold the last line of defense for the government in protecting public safety.

Furthermore, Changhua Mayor Lin Se-hyeon stated today that an officer suffered serious injuries while enforcing the law, and the public is concerned about whether the judicial ruling has adequately considered the safety of police officers on duty and the maintenance of social order. He invited the public to gather at Yangming Park in Changhua City at 5 PM today to voice their concerns. He will go to the Control Yuan tomorrow to file a petition and accusation, requesting a legal investigation into the relevant ruling procedures to examine for any misconduct. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150607