Man Injures Police Officer in Drug-Impaired Driving; Detention Approved After Appeal

(Central News Agency, reporter Zheng Weizhen, Changhua, 12th) A man surnamed Shi, driving under the influence of drugs, injured Chen Guoming, the director of the Puyan Police Station under the Xihu Branch of the Changhua County Police Bureau. The Changhua District Prosecutors Office's request to detain Shi was rejected. The prosecution appealed, and the Taichung High Court overturned the original ruling. The Changhua District Court reopened the detention hearing today and approved preventive detention.

Chen Guoming told the media that he had no opinion on whether Shi should be detained and hoped to have time to rest and recover.

On the 4th, Chen Guoming and another officer, surnamed Zhao, were investigating Shi on Guangming Road Section 2 in Puyan Township, Changhua County. The man drove into a dead-end alley, refused to comply with a stop order, and attempted to flee. Chen Guoming was knocked down by the vehicle's side and then had his foot run over by the car, resulting in a fracture. Officer Zhao broke the car window with a baton, subdued and arrested Shi, sustaining a hand injury in the process.

Shi tested positive for amphetamine and etomidate via a saliva rapid test. After being questioned by a prosecutor from the Changhua District Prosecutors Office, he was charged with obstruction of official duties and endangering public safety. The request for detention was rejected by the Changhua District Court, leading to the prosecution's appeal. The Taichung High Court noted that the defendant had a history of being wanted and that the original court's ruling required further review, thus overturning the decision and remanding the case to the Changhua District Court.

The Changhua District Court reopened the detention hearing this morning. Changhua City Mayor Lin Shixian appeared outside the courthouse to show support for the police and prosecutors. He stated that central and local governments should cooperate on drug issues, especially since the raw materials for 'zombie drug' (the Class II narcotic etomidate) are not listed as controlled substances. He also noted that of the 36 recent drug cases investigated by police and prosecutors, half of those sent to the district court were released without detention, highlighting the severity of the drug problem.

The Changhua District Prosecutors Office confirmed that the Changhua District Court, after reopening the detention hearing, approved the request for preventive detention. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150612