Trailer Tire Falls Off on National Highway 3 in Yuanli, Hits 2 Cars, Injures 3

(Central News Agency, reporter Guan Ruiping, Miaoli County, 9th) A commercial semi-trailer truck was traveling southbound on National Highway 3 in the Yuanli section of Miaoli County today when one of its tires suddenly detached. The tire struck a rear passenger car, then bounced into the opposite northbound lane, hitting another small passenger/freight vehicle. The accident caused three injuries, one of whom is in critical condition with a severe head injury and is unconscious.

The 2nd Highway Police Brigade reported that the accident occurred around 10:00 AM at the 152.7 km mark southbound on National Highway 3 in Yuanli. A tire detached from a semi-trailer driven by a 29-year-old man surnamed Tsai for an unknown reason, subsequently hitting two vehicles.

Preliminary police investigation indicates that one set of tires from the semi-trailer detached while driving. It first struck a passenger car driven by a 53-year-old man surnamed Li, then bounced into the northbound lane, hitting a rental small passenger/freight vehicle driven by a 52-year-old man surnamed Hong. The hoods, windshields, and body panels of both damaged vehicles were severely destroyed. Three people were injured and sent to the hospital.

The injured include a passenger surnamed Hsia in Mr. Li's car, who suffered a head abrasion and was sent to Tongxiao Guangtian Hospital. Mr. Hong, the driver of the second vehicle, suffered a severe head injury and lost consciousness at the scene. After emergency treatment by firefighters from the Yuanli branch of the Miaoli County Fire Bureau, he underwent surgery at Yuanli Li Comprehensive Hospital and was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit for observation. A co-driver in Mr. Hong's vehicle, a 32-year-old man also surnamed Hong, sustained multiple abrasions but remained conscious.

Police stated that while Mr. Li's blood alcohol level was 0, the levels for drivers Tsai and Hong are pending testing. Mr. Tsai has been contacted to provide a statement.

The 2nd Highway Police Brigade reminded the public that vehicles should be regularly maintained and inspected before driving. If wheels, tire rubber, or vehicle parts fall off while driving, according to Article 30-1 of the Road Traffic Management Penalty Regulations, the driver can be fined between NT$1,000 and NT$6,000. If injuries result, the driver's license will be suspended for one year; if serious injury or death results, the license will be revoked. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150609