Man Drives Under Influence, Collides with Parked Vehicle; Taipei Prosecutors Secure Preventive Detention

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Hsieh Chun-lin, Taipei, June 15) The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office announced today that a man surnamed Liu collided with a roadside parked vehicle while driving through an alley on Zhonghua Road in Taipei City yesterday. Police conducted a rapid drug screening test, which returned a positive result for etomidate. After questioning, prosecutors determined there was a risk of reoffending and applied for preventive detention at the Taipei District Court, which has been approved.

In a press release, the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office stated that at around 1:00 a.m. on the 14th, Liu was driving a private car along an alley in Section 2 of Zhonghua Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, when he sideswiped a parked light truck. Officers from the Wanhua Police Station of the Taipei City Police Department arrived at the scene and noticed that Liu appeared disoriented, raising suspicion.

According to the prosecutors, police obtained Liu's consent to conduct a rapid saliva drug test, which showed a positive reaction for etomidate, a Category 2 controlled substance. Liu was immediately arrested, and one etomidate-containing vape cartridge was seized from his vehicle.

Liu was transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office, where prosecutors questioned him. They concluded that he is strongly suspected of violating the Criminal Code's dangerous driving provisions and poses a risk of repeatedly committing similar drug-impaired driving offenses. As a result, prosecutors applied for preventive detention, which the court approved.

The Taipei District Prosecutors emphasized that they will continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies to crack down on drugged driving. They pledged to strictly and severely prosecute any drugged driving incidents that disregard public safety, showing no leniency. (Editor: Hsiao Po-wen) 1150615