Truck runs red light, causes major crash on Taiwanese holiday

A terrifying incident unfolded in Tianzhong, Taiwan, on August 27th, as a large truck barreled through a red light, triggering a major collision and narrowly averting a tragedy on a public holiday. The accident occurred at the intersection of Shanjiao Road and Zhongnan Road around 10 a.m.

Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage indicate that the truck, loaded with mud and traveling from Nantou towards Tianzhong city, entered the intersection against a red signal. At the same moment, three motorcyclists were attempting to make a left turn. The footage shows they were less than a tenth of a second away from being struck by the speeding truck.

While the motorcyclists escaped unharmed, a red sedan waiting to turn left at the intersection was not so fortunate. The truck's impact sheared off the entire front of the car. The two occupants of the sedan, a 71-year-old male driver and a 68-year-old female passenger, sustained injuries to their faces and limbs. They were conscious and stable when emergency services arrived and were transported to Yuanlin Christian Hospital.

Police conducted sobriety tests on the truck driver, identified as a 41-year-old man surnamed Jan, which came back negative for alcohol and drugs. The exact reason for the driver running the red light remains under investigation. Authorities are urging all road users to adhere to traffic signals, reduce speed at intersections, and ensure their vehicles are in safe working order before driving.