Migrant worker who threw elderly woman off bridge after scooter accident sentenced to 6-year prison term
A Vietnamese migrant worker who accidentally hit an elderly woman while riding a scooter in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, then threw her off a bridge to conceal evidence, was sentenced to a 6-year term in prison for attempted murder after an appeal to the Taiwan High Court.
On Christmas Eve, 2019, the 33-year-old factory worker named Nguyen, riding a scooter, accidentally hit 79-year-old Ms Du as she was walking across Fenglin Bridge, in Ruifang District. Nguyen, then picked the unconscious Ms Du up, and tossed her over the guardrail of the bridge.
See previous story: Man arrested for throwing old woman off bridge after scooter accident
The whole incident was witnessed by a bus driver parked in a bus terminal after finishing his shift.
Fortunately, Ms Du was caught by branches on a slope 15 meters below the bridge, and was rescued without life-threatening injuries.
During a trial by the Keelung District Court, Nguyen argued that he had picked Ms Du up in order to seek medical treatment, and had accidentally dropped her off the side of the bridge. The court did not accept Nguyen’s claim, and sentenced him to 8 years for attempted homicide.
The High Court considered that Nguyen had confessed to his crime and had paid Ms Du NT$250,000 in compensation. The High Court therefore reduced Nguyen’s sentence to 6 years in prison followed by deportation. The Supreme Court held that the High Court’s judgement was correct, and rejected further appeals.
Ms Du, who was interviewed by SETN said that her health was not good as it was before, and she didn’t dare walk by the scene of the incident.
The reporter asked Ms Du if she was willing to forgive Nguyen.
“Yes, what else can I do? What else can I do at my age?” Ms Du replied.
Sources: Epoch Times, SETN.
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