5 people injured in 2 separate car crashes involving “zombie drug” in Kaohsiung City last night
Two separate incidents involving drivers suspected to be under the influence of the drug etomidate left five people injured, including two police officers, in Kaohsiung City overnight.
Suspected drug driver knocks down scooters, injuring 2
According to reports, two women were injured when a car suddenly veered to the right and crashed into motor scooters parked on the roadside on Qingnian Road in Fengshan District at around 9:00pm.
Police witnessed the incident and responded immediately. The 41-year-old driver, named Liu, refused to get out of the car, and had to be forcibly removed by the police officers. A search of the vehicle uncovered 35 vape cartridges of etomidate, commonly known as “zombie drug.” One of the cartridges had been used.
The two women affected by the accident suffered from bruises, but were not seriously injured.
Two police officers, suspect, injured in car chase crash
Two police officers and a suspect were sent to hospital to be treated for minor injuries after a suspected drug driver slammed into a police patrol car during a chase in Renwu District at around 4:00am this morning.
Police on patrol noticed a car parked illegally with the motor running on Bade Road, Renwu District. The driver appeared to be asleep. Police detected a suspicious smell, and noticed a bag suspected of containing drugs on the passenger seat. When they asked the driver to get out of the car, he sped away.
Police called for back-up as they chased the vehicle for three kilometers. The chase finally ended after the suspect rammed a police car that attempted an intercept at the intersection of Fengren Road and Shuiguan Road.
Police arrested the 34-year-old driver, named Lee, after finding a quantity of drugs, including heroin, amphetamines, and etomidate, in Lee’s vehicle.
The increasing use of the drug etomidate has been recognized as a major public safety hazard, leading to the government reclassifying the drug as a Category 2 narcotic last month, following a spate of traffic accidents and fatalities involving the drug.
A police officer was killed, and five people injured, after a crash in Sanchong District, New Taipei City, in July this year, and a police officer was dragged to his death after attempting to stop a driver in New Taipei City’s Tucheng District in September.
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