Man Under the Influence of Drugs Crashes into Taichung's Xitun Bus Stop; Prosecutor's Detention Request Approved

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Su Mu-chun, Taichung, June 16) A man surnamed Li was involved in a self-inflicted car crash into a bus stop in Taichung's Xitun District yesterday after allegedly using drugs. Fortunately, no members of the public were harmed. Police responding to the scene discovered a used vape cartridge suspected of containing illicit substances inside the vehicle. The man was subsequently investigated by prosecutors, who filed a detention request that was approved by the court.

The Taichung District Prosecutors Office issued a press release today stating that the man, suspected of drug use, was driving a passenger car along Section 4 of Taiwan Boulevard near Yumen Road when he crashed into a BRT bus stop.

Upon arrival, police seized one used vape cartridge suspected of containing etomidate, a psychoactive substance. A rapid saliva drug test confirmed a positive result for etomidate. The Taichung City Police Department's Sixth Precinct investigated the case and transferred the suspect to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for further proceedings.

Prosecutors determined that the defendant had the etomidate-laced vape cartridge within easy reach at the time of arrest and had caused a traffic accident while under the influence of drugs, constituting a serious offense. The crash site is located near Taiwan Boulevard, close to Tunghai University and Taichung Veterans General Hospital—areas with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Given the high risk posed to road users, waiting passengers, and public infrastructure, prosecutors filed a preventive detention motion, which the court approved.

The prosecutors' office stated that from May 27 to June 16, they filed detention requests for 32 individuals suspected of drug-impaired driving with high recidivism risks, all of which were approved by the courts. They will continue directing police to actively gather evidence, expedite investigations, and properly utilize preventive detention measures and other legal tools to prevent repeat offenses. (Editor: Li Ming-tsung) 1150616

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