Hit and run murder, suicide, ends 20 year grudge in Yilan County
Police are investigating a fatal hit and run in Yilan County as a case of homicide after the suspect was found to have committed suicide, and evidence revealed a more than 20-year grudge between the two men over a marital affair.
Police in Sanxing Township were called to the scene of a scooter accident on Zhongshan Road, Section 3, at around 8:00 am yesterday, June 18, to find a 63-year-old man named Zheng without vital signs. Zheng was rushed to hospital but did not respond to resuscitation efforts and was later declared dead.
The initial investigation revealed that a silver sedan had approached Zheng’s scooter from the rear and hit him at high speed. The driver of the car had not stopped after the crash.
Investigators found scratch marks on the road surface for a distance of 23 meters, and no signs of braking.
Police accessed traffic monitor footage and identified a car belonging to a 69-year-old man named Wang.
Police found Wang’s car in a forested area in the afternoon. A search soon located Wang’s lifeless body hanging from a tree nearby.
As the investigation expanded it was discovered that Wang and Zheng had a history of hostility spanning more than two decades. More than 20 years ago, Wang had suspected Zheng of having an affair with his wife. Wang was charged for injuring Zheng, and later, Wang shot Zheng and consequently served an 8-year prison sentence for attempted homicide.
Friends and relatives of Mr Zheng told police that Wang had frequently showed up to provoke and harass Zheng over a period of more than 20 years.
A friend of Mr Wang told police that Wang suffered from hearing loss and multiple chronic diseases. Lately Wang had showed signs of depression.
At around 7:00 am yesterday, Wang parked in a tea house parking lot on a route known to be taken by Zheng, a pear farmer, every day. Wang waited for Zheng to pass before following him and knocking him off the scooter.
The Yilan District Prosecutor’s Office is continuing the investigation.
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