Drug-Impaired Driving Causes Death in Zhonghe; Mayor Hou: Zero Tolerance

A fatal accident occurred in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, on the 23rd, when a man surnamed Wang, suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, caused a crash that left one person dead and another injured. New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih emphasized on the 24th that there is "zero tolerance" for drug-impaired driving and ordered the police to expand inspections. Mayor Hou stated that heavier sentencing and increased penalties are inevitable and that he is committed to achieving zero drug-impaired driving. The accident involved a 50-year-old man surnamed Wang, who is suspected of having inhaled etomidate before driving and colliding with a motorcycle carrying two sisters. One sister died, and the other was injured. The case has been transferred to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, and the prosecutor requested the court to detain Wang. During a prayer event at Chengtian Temple and Cifa Temple, Mayor Hou told the media that the city would continue to care for and comfort the victims and their families. He also instructed the police to conduct expanded inspections in high-risk areas and to relentlessly pursue the source of the drugs. When asked if penalties for drug driving should be increased, Mayor Hou said, "New Taipei City was the first to propose listing etomidate as a controlled substance. If drug-impaired driving still occurs under these circumstances, I believe stricter sentencing and higher penalties are inevitable."