Man Detained in Kaohsiung for Fatal Drug-Driving Accident; First Case Under New Preventive Detention Law

Central News Agency Message

(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 15th) A fatal car accident occurred in the Siaogang District of Kaohsiung City on the 14th. A man surnamed Chu is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and rear-ending a scooter rider, causing the rider to die from severe injuries. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office stated today that, in accordance with the newly revised and effective provisions for expanded preventive detention, it applied to the court for the suspect's detention, which was granted, making it the first case since the new system was implemented.

The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office stated in a text message that the man, surnamed Chu, in his 40s, was driving a car around 3 PM on the 14th in Siaogang District when he rear-ended a scooter rider from behind. The 80-year-old rider, surnamed Hung, was severely injured and later pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.

The prosecution stated that after police reviewed surveillance footage to clarify the accident's circumstances and conducted a drug saliva rapid test and urine test on Mr. Chu, he was preliminarily suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. The case was reported to prosecutor Chen Yung-chang of the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office for command of the investigation and to conduct the post-mortem examination.

The Kaohsiung Prosecutors Office believed that Mr. Chu is suspected of the crime of causing death by driving under the influence of drugs under Article 185-3 of the Penal Code. It applied to the court for his detention and it was granted, in accordance with the provisions of Article 101-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which expands the scope of preventive detention, newly revised and promulgated by the President today.

The Prosecutors Office emphasized that drug-driving seriously endangers public safety. It will absolutely not be lenient with cases of driving under the influence of drugs and will prosecute and punish them severely to the end, in order to protect public life and traffic order. (Editor: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150515