Drunk Driver Crashes into Garbage Truck, Killing Worker in Tainan; Court Sentences to 7 Years and 9 Months
A 48-year-old man in Tainan was sentenced to 7 years and 9 months in prison for fatally crashing into a garbage truck while drunk driving, killing a female crew member. Despite apologizing, he has not compensated the victim's family.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 18:34
- 🔍 Collected: June 13, 2026 at 00:43 (6h 9m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 13, 2026 at 12:15 (11h 31m after Collected)
Central News Agency Report
(CNA reporter Chang Jung-hsiang, Tainan, June 12) A 48-year-old man surnamed Cheng (currently in custody) was driving under the influence in Tainan's Anping District last December when he crashed at high speed into a garbage truck, resulting in the death of a female crew member, Ms. Chen. Although Cheng apologized, he has not paid any compensation. The Tainan District Court today sentenced him to 7 years and 9 months in prison. The ruling can be appealed.
The Tainan District Court ruled today that Cheng, aged 48, was guilty of violating Article of the Criminal Code concerning operating a motor vehicle under conditions endangering public safety resulting in death, and sentenced him to 7 years and 9 months of imprisonment.
The court stated that Cheng had previously used designated drivers after drinking. On the night of the incident, he drank with friends at multiple locations and initially used a designated driver. However, he later decided to drive himself. At the time of the crash, during morning commuting hours, with clear visibility and no obstacles, Cheng drove at high speed, veered uncontrollably from his lane, and crashed into the garbage truck and Ms. Chen without braking or evasive action.
Ms. Chen was standing behind the garbage truck, performing waste collection duties, when she suffered comminuted fractures and severe fragmentation of her lower body, requiring both legs to be amputated. She sustained multiple traumatic injuries, with internal organs protruding and flesh and blood violently scattered, dying instantly at the scene.
The court noted that Cheng is married and lives with his wife and children. His son is employed, and his daughter studies at a university in Taipei, with tuition funded by student loans. Cheng stated that after leaving a technology company in 2018 (Minguo Year 107), he suffered investment losses and was defrauded by friends. He and his wife jointly operate a 'crispy duck' shop, earning a monthly profit of approximately NT$40,000 to NT$50,000. Despite this, he mortgaged his wife's property in a second lien loan, leading to a cycle of debt repayment with new debt, leaving him with over NT$2 million in outstanding debt.
Cheng apologized to Ms. Chen's family for the first time during the trial proceedings but has not provided any compensation. He only expressed willingness to use his prison labor income as compensation and promised to work hard after release to repay in installments. Therefore, the court sentenced him to 7 years and 9 months in prison. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150612
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(CNA reporter Chang Jung-hsiang, Tainan, June 12) A 48-year-old man surnamed Cheng (currently in custody) was driving under the influence in Tainan's Anping District last December when he crashed at high speed into a garbage truck, resulting in the death of a female crew member, Ms. Chen. Although Cheng apologized, he has not paid any compensation. The Tainan District Court today sentenced him to 7 years and 9 months in prison. The ruling can be appealed.
The Tainan District Court ruled today that Cheng, aged 48, was guilty of violating Article of the Criminal Code concerning operating a motor vehicle under conditions endangering public safety resulting in death, and sentenced him to 7 years and 9 months of imprisonment.
The court stated that Cheng had previously used designated drivers after drinking. On the night of the incident, he drank with friends at multiple locations and initially used a designated driver. However, he later decided to drive himself. At the time of the crash, during morning commuting hours, with clear visibility and no obstacles, Cheng drove at high speed, veered uncontrollably from his lane, and crashed into the garbage truck and Ms. Chen without braking or evasive action.
Ms. Chen was standing behind the garbage truck, performing waste collection duties, when she suffered comminuted fractures and severe fragmentation of her lower body, requiring both legs to be amputated. She sustained multiple traumatic injuries, with internal organs protruding and flesh and blood violently scattered, dying instantly at the scene.
The court noted that Cheng is married and lives with his wife and children. His son is employed, and his daughter studies at a university in Taipei, with tuition funded by student loans. Cheng stated that after leaving a technology company in 2018 (Minguo Year 107), he suffered investment losses and was defrauded by friends. He and his wife jointly operate a 'crispy duck' shop, earning a monthly profit of approximately NT$40,000 to NT$50,000. Despite this, he mortgaged his wife's property in a second lien loan, leading to a cycle of debt repayment with new debt, leaving him with over NT$2 million in outstanding debt.
Cheng apologized to Ms. Chen's family for the first time during the trial proceedings but has not provided any compensation. He only expressed willingness to use his prison labor income as compensation and promised to work hard after release to repay in installments. Therefore, the court sentenced him to 7 years and 9 months in prison. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150612
Stand with the facts. Your support is the power that protects press freedom.
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Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
FAQ
What is the penalty for killing someone while drunk driving in Taiwan?
Under Taiwan's Criminal Code, causing death by impaired driving carries a sentence of over 7 years in prison.
Where did this accident occur?
It happened in Anping District, Tainan City, during morning rush hour on a clear road.
What was the victim doing at the time?
The victim, Ms. Chen, was assisting in garbage collection behind the truck.