Taichung Fatal Crash: White Powder Found in Car, Suspected Drug Driving

(Central News Agency reporter Zhao Liyan, Taichung 12th) A fatal car crash occurred on the night of the 11th in Wuqi District, Taichung City, when a passenger car collided with a roadside tree. Three people were sent to the hospital, and two were pronounced dead. Police discovered white powder suspected to be ketamine inside the vehicle, and a rapid saliva test from one passenger tested positive for ketamine. Whether the driver was driving under the influence of drugs will be clarified in a subsequent investigation.

The accident happened on Section 1 of Zhonghua Road in Wuqi District on the evening of June 11. The car first hit a parked vehicle before crashing into a tree. Three people were injured, with two trapped inside the vehicle. After being rescued, one man sustained multiple abrasions but was conscious and was hospitalized for observation. Another man had no vital signs upon arrival at the hospital. A third man was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and also had no vital signs. Both were pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

The Taichung City Police Department's Qingshui Precinct stated in a press release on the 12th that a 29-year-old man surnamed Hsu was driving the car, carrying two 18-year-old men surnamed Chen. For reasons yet unknown, the driver lost control, hit a roadside vehicle, and overturned. The exact cause of the accident will be analyzed by the Traffic Police Brigade.

Police reviewed surveillance footage and found that the car may have been racing with another vehicle. The owner of the other vehicle has been identified, and legal proceedings will be initiated. During the scene investigation, police discovered white powder in the car, which initially tested positive for ketamine. The conscious passenger's saliva rapid test also showed a positive reaction for ketamine. Whether the driver was involved in drug-impaired driving will be clarified upon autopsy.

Police stated that drug-impaired driving can easily cause traffic accidents, harming both the driver and others. They emphasized their unwavering determination to crack down on drug-impaired driving and urged the public not to take chances or break the law. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150612