Ambulance driver in Taichung who hit and killed motorcyclist sentenced to 6 months in first trial

(Central News Agency, reporter Su Muchun, Taichung, July 2nd) Two years ago, a man surnamed Huang was driving an ambulance to take a patient home when he collided with a speeding motorcyclist at an intersection in North District, Taichung. The motorcyclist died from his injuries. Huang was indicted on charges of negligent homicide. After trial, the Taichung District Court recently sentenced him to 6 months in prison. The sentence can be appealed.

According to the prosecutor's indictment, at 10:20 PM on March 19, 113 (2024), Huang was driving an ambulance to take a patient home after a medical visit. When he reached the intersection of Chongde Road Section 1 and Taiyuan Road Section 3 in North District, Taichung City, he should have been aware that ambulances, unless in an emergency situation, should not rashly use sirens and red flashing lights. While the traffic signal was red, he proceeded into the intersection.

The motorcyclist, surnamed Shi, was traveling through the intersection. Upon hearing the ambulance's siren, he did not yield as required. He was speeding at approximately 65 kilometers per hour (the road limit is 50 kilometers per hour) when he entered the intersection and collided with the ambulance. Shi sustained injuries including cerebral hemorrhage, chest contusion with hemopneumothorax, and open fracture with bleeding of the left femur. He was taken to the hospital but died from his injuries. Huang reported the incident and surrendered to the authorities. He was indicted by the prosecutor on charges of negligent homicide.

During the trial, the Taichung District Court found that Shi had an alcohol reaction when tested after being taken to the hospital. However, an examination of Shi's blood and eye fluid by the Ministry of Justice's Institute of Forensic Science confirmed that no alcohol or drug components were detected in his blood, and the possibility of a false positive due to emergency treatment could not be ruled out.

The collegiate bench ruled that Huang could not claim the right of way and was negligent in the accident. However, Shi was also negligent due to speeding. Considering that Huang had not reached a settlement with the victim's family, the Taichung District Court sentenced Huang to 6 months in prison on June 26th of this year, with the option of paying a fine. The sentence can be appealed. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150702

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