Teacher gets suspended sentence for fatal Tesla crash at nearly 200 km/h

A joyride in a rented Tesla ended in tragedy when a substitute teacher lost control of the vehicle at nearly 200 km/h, killing his female companion. The driver, identified only by his surname Wu, was speeding at more than 120 km/h above the legal limit on a provincial highway in Yunlin County.

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The driver, identified only by his surname Wu, was speeding at more than 120 km/h above the legal limit on a provincial highway in Yunlin County.

The vehicle, a rented Tesla, crashed into a cement guardrail. The passenger, identified by her surname Chou, sustained severe head and chest injuries and died. Wu, who remained at the scene and surrendered to police, was initially sentenced to three years and two months in prison by the Yunlin District Court.

Wu appealed the sentence, with his lawyer arguing that he was unfamiliar with the Tesla's rapid acceleration. The defense also cited Wu's single-parent background and his responsibility to care for his grandmother and siblings, as well as his own post-traumatic stress disorder from the accident. The lawyer sought a reduced sentence.

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The passenger, identified by her surname Chou, sustained severe head and chest injuries and died.

The Taiwan High Court in Tainan acknowledged the severity of Wu's speeding but considered the NT$6 million settlement reached with the victim's family. The court reduced the sentence to two years, suspended for five years, making the compensation payments a condition of the suspension. Wu had already paid NT$2 million, with the remaining NT$4 million to be paid in monthly installments of NT$20,000 starting in August.

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Wu appealed the sentence, with his lawyer arguing that he was unfamiliar with the Tesla's rapid acceleration.

Experts note that the rapid acceleration of electric vehicles can be a hazard for new drivers. Hu Jing-yao, an owner of five Teslas, advised caution, especially for those transitioning from gasoline-powered cars. He explained that the instant torque of electric motors differs significantly from internal combustion engines, and drivers should avoid sudden, hard acceleration until they are accustomed to the performance.

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The court reduced the sentence to two years, suspended for five years, making the compensation payments a condition of the suspension.