Farming Couple Dies in Sequential Car Crash; Chiayi Prosecutors Indict Suspect Zhang

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Kuo-chang, Chiayi City, May 11) A man surnamed Zhang from Chiayi County was driving through a farm road intersection in Shuishang Township during the Lunar New Year period in February this year when his vehicle collided head-on with a small truck driven by a farming man named Chen. Both vehicles overturned into a nearby muddy field. The wife, who was in the truck, died the next day, and the husband, who sustained serious injuries, passed away recently. An autopsy was conducted to clarify the cause of death. The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office has concluded its investigation and indicted Zhang.

According to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office, Mr. Chen, in his 60s, and his wife, Ms. Qiu, were traveling together in the small truck driven by Mr. Chen to their farmland during the Lunar New Year period this year when they were involved in the accident. Ms. Qiu died at the scene, and Mr. Chen suffered severe injuries. Mr. Chen later passed away in July. Their children were devastated by the consecutive loss of both parents and were too grief-stricken to participate in mediation with Zhang.

According to the indictment, on the afternoon of February 20, the 24-year-old Zhang was driving his private car through a junction in Longde Village, Shuishang Township. The intersection had no traffic signals, requiring drivers to slow down and proceed with caution. At the same time, Mr. Chen was driving his small truck with his wife, approaching the intersection from another farm road. However, Zhang failed to observe the rule that vehicles on side roads must come to a complete stop and yield to vehicles on the main road. Due to this negligence, both drivers were unable to avoid the collision.

The indictment states that the impact of the crash was severe, causing both vehicles to overturn into a muddy field beside the road. Zhang sustained only minor injuries. Ms. Qiu suffered critical trauma and was pronounced dead the following morning despite emergency treatment. Mr. Chen sustained traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and remained in a coma. Tragically, he passed away on July 3. Prosecutors and police have conducted a joint autopsy with forensic experts to clarify the causal relationship between the crash and the deaths. The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office has concluded its investigation and indicted Zhang on charges including negligent homicide. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150811