Hsinchu Hukou Car Accident Involving Substitute Driver: Fugitive Worker Admits Guilt

Central News Agency Report (Reporter Kuo Hsuan-wen, Hsinchu County, April 12)

The Hsinchu County Police Department's Hsinhu Precinct announced today that a collision between a car and a motorcycle occurred yesterday in Section 2, Bade Road, Hukou Township, injuring a female motorcyclist surnamed Tsai and a young girl surnamed Chiang riding behind her. Both tested negative for alcohol, and drug use was ruled out.

Since the intersection lacked surveillance cameras, police reviewed dashcam footage from nearby vehicles. They discovered that the physical build of the actual driver did not match that of Pan, who had initially claimed to be driving. After being summoned for questioning, Pan admitted to substituting for the real driver.

Following police persuasion, Ding, the actual driver and a fugitive Vietnamese worker, turned himself in and confessed. Ding stated that due to rain, he turned on his fog lights and momentarily lost focus, running a red light. After the accident, he checked on the injured and asked a passerby to call the police. However, fearing exposure as a fugitive worker, he asked Pan to assume the driver's identity and then left the scene on foot.

Police will refer Ding for prosecution on charges of hit-and-run and causing injury by negligence. Pan will also be referred for prosecution on suspicion of providing false information to public officials and acting as a substitute driver. As Ding is an undocumented worker, he will be processed under relevant immigration laws. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua)