Tragedy in Taiwan: Drunk Driver in Porsche Claims Life, Sparking Outrage and Calls for Stricter Laws

A 67-year-old woman in Kaohsiung is killed by a repeat drunk driver, prompting demands for tougher penalties and highlighting the ongoing problem of drunk driving in Taiwan.

In Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the community is reeling from another tragic incident of drunk driving. The latest case occurred on the morning of December 12th, claiming the life of a 67-year-old woman identified as Mrs. Cai. She was on her way home from work, riding her scooter, when she was struck at an intersection by a Porsche SUV driven by a man named Hong (59), who was driving under the influence of alcohol and ran a red light. Mrs. Cai was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, she did not survive.

Mrs. Cai's husband, Mr. Cai, expressed his profound grief and frustration, stating that the issue of drunk driving fatalities is a recurring problem in Taiwan. He urged the government to implement even harsher penalties to deter such reckless behavior. Hong, the perpetrator, has a history of drunk driving offenses. He was taken into custody and brought to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office. He remained silent when questioned by reporters. The police have requested the prosecutor to seek his detention.

According to Mr. Cai, his wife worked as a massage therapist, typically finishing her shift around midnight and returning home via the same route every day. He was devastated when he received the news, describing the incident as unthinkable. He further emphasized that the government needs to take a more serious stance against drunk driving to prevent future tragedies.

It was reported that Hong had multiple prior convictions for drunk driving. He was arrested, and, shockingly, he fell asleep in the detention cell, showing a lack of remorse for his actions. The police had initially planned to question Hong at a mortuary, but the prosecutors decided to move the questioning to the district prosecutors' office because of media presence.

Hong, faced numerous reporters after leaving the police station. He was asked why he drove after drinking and if he knew he had killed someone. He didn't respond, quickly entering a police car. The police are investigating the case, including potential charges of drunk driving causing death and negligent endangerment of traffic safety, in accordance with articles of the Criminal Law of Taiwan. They have requested the prosecutors seek to detain him.