Homicide or accident!? On the 18th, a 47-year-old male mountain shuttle bus driver surnamed Feng in Hualien was driving along a gravel downhill curve at the 36K mark of the Wanrong Forest Road when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle slid 6 meters down the slope and he was thrown from the vehicle, resulting in his death. Initial investigations by prosecutors and police ruled it an accident, but some hikers posted on Facebook “revealing” suspicions that the incident may not be so simple. Police were cautious in their statements during the day, emphasizing that they are acting according to the instructions of the prosecutors. In the evening, Chen Xuhua, the chief prosecutor of the Hualien District Prosecutors Office, confirmed that the body will undergo an autopsy tomorrow to determine the cause of death.
Chief Prosecutor Chen Xuhua stated that the body was discovered on the 18th, and the police had already reported it for examination on Sunday. The prosecutor also went to conduct the initial examination immediately, and after the examination, it was preliminarily believed that the deceased had died in what appeared to be an accident. At that time, the family did not raise any objections and agreed with the prosecutor’s findings. However, upon learning late last night of possible news reports suggesting homicide, the police continued the investigation today and arranged for the autopsy of the body, while also clarifying whether there are any circumstances as reported in the news.
Chen Xuhua said in the evening that the body is scheduled for an autopsy tomorrow. As for the results of the autopsy, in principle, they will have to wait for the forensic institute’s appraisal report before a conclusion can be reached. However, during the period while waiting for the appraisal report, the prosecutor will investigate any possible suspicious points. If there is any situation that may involve a crime, the prosecutor will file a separate case or continue the investigation as a criminal case.
The Fenglin Police Precinct received a report on the 18th of this month that the driver, surnamed Feng, had rolled the vehicle due to the rugged terrain. Patrol rangers and firefighters arrived at the scene and confirmed that the driver had clearly died. However, a hiker who had previously interacted with Mr. Feng posted on Facebook saying, “Last week, Mr. Feng mentioned that he had been threatened,” casting doubt on the cause of death being merely accidental. Police have instructed that the body be temporarily preserved on ice. The deceased’s family has not commented on the matter, hoping that the prosecutors and police will investigate thoroughly.
(China Times)