Man Who Injured Police Officer While Driving Under Drugs Avoids Detention; Prosecutor Appeals, Taichung High Court Overturns and Remands

(Central News Agency, reporter Su Muchun, Taichung, 10th) In a case where a man surnamed Shi, while driving under the influence of drugs, injured Chen Guoming, the chief of the Puyan Police Station of the Xihu Branch of the Changhua County Police Bureau, the prosecutor's request to detain Shi was rejected by the Changhua District Court. After the prosecutor filed an appeal, the Taichung High Court today ruled to overturn the original decision and remand the case to the Changhua District Court for a new ruling.

The Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch Court stated today that regarding the recent case of the man surnamed Shi driving under the influence of drugs and causing injury to a police officer, the Taiwan Changhua District Court rejected the prosecutor's request for detention. After the prosecutor filed an appeal, the court accepted the case and convened a collegiate panel for review.

The collegiate panel considered that Shi admitted to driving under the influence of drugs and causing injury to the on-duty police officer. Furthermore, the drugs he possessed tested positive for etomidate and methamphetamine in a rapid screening, and during the process of moving the vehicle, he ran over the police officer's right foot. These facts are supported by relevant evidence. The collegiate panel believed that the defendant has a record of being wanted. The original trial court's finding that it was difficult to determine grounds for detention based on the evidence in the case file left room for further review. As the original ruling had questionable aspects, the court ruled on the 10th to overturn the original decision and remand the case to the Changhua District Court for a new ruling.

On the 4th, officers from the Xihu Branch of the Changhua County Police Bureau were conducting an inquiry in Section 2, Guangming Road, Puyan Township, Changhua County, regarding Shi, who was driving a car. Shi drove into a dead end and refused to stop for questioning. He then suddenly reversed the car, ramming into the police officers in an attempt to escape, causing Chen Guoming to suffer a foot injury. After Shi was arrested, his drug test results were positive.

After further questioning, the Changhua District Prosecutors Office determined that Shi had committed crimes including obstruction of official duties and endangering public safety. They requested his detention from the Changhua District Court, but the request was rejected. The prosecution filed an appeal on the 8th. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150610