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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Taiwan Police Admit Lapses After Driver in Hit-and-Run Refused Breathalyzer

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A driver in Taiwan who hit two children and refused a breathalyzer test was allowed to leave by police without a mandatory blood test.
  • The children remain in critical condition, and their family suspects the driver's background influenced the police's lenient handling of the case.
  • Police admitted to procedural errors, stating the officer should have sought a prosecutor's approval for a mandatory blood test, and are now investigating the driver for drunk driving and serious injury.

A driver in Taiwan's Hualien County struck two children on an electric-assisted bicycle during his lunch break, leaving both boys in critical condition. The driver, identified as a 40-year-old employee surnamed Chen, refused a breathalyzer test after the accident.

This kind of thing should have been reported to the prosecutor, not just let go because the police said it was okay.

— Chen Chang-xuThe maternal grandfather of the injured children, who is also a retired police officer and village chief, criticized the police's handling of the case.

Despite his refusal, police allowed Chen to leave the scene without a mandatory blood test, a procedure that requires a prosecutor's approval. This decision has drawn strong criticism from the victims' family, who suspect Chen's influential background may have led to preferential treatment. The family questioned why Chen would refuse a breathalyzer if he hadn't been drinking and expressed concern about his ability to leave work for a drink.

The Fenglin Police Precinct acknowledged procedural errors, admitting that the handling officer failed to immediately request a prosecutor's order for a mandatory blood test. Police stated that Chen had claimed to have been drinking the previous night, and while he was ticketed for refusing the test, the initial handling did not follow standard procedures. They have since obtained a court order for a blood test, but the results indicated no alcohol, likely due to the time elapsed since the incident.

The driver refusing the breathalyzer test means something is wrong. If he hadn't been drinking, why refuse the test?

— Victim's family memberThe family of the injured children questioned the driver's actions and suspected his background.

Police have reassigned the officer involved and are reviewing supervisory responsibilities. The driver is now being investigated for drunk driving and causing serious injury. The incident has sparked outrage over the handling of drunk driving cases and potential influence peddling.

The handling officer did not immediately report to the prosecutor to apply for an evidentiary blood test. The handling was inconsistent with regulations, and there was indeed negligence.

— Liu Yu-hsiangThe Fenglin Police Precinct Chief admitted to procedural errors in the case.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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