By RK Shih / Staff. Image via China Times.
KAOHSIUNG — A 44-year-old mother died following a collision in Siaogang District (小港區) last week in an accident police suspect was due to a drug-impaired driver. On Friday, the husband of the victim, surnamed Li, and their three children returned to the crash site to perform a traditional seventh-day spirit-calling ritual, which in Taiwanese mourning customs marks the first week after a death. Witnesses said the children called out for their mother to come home while kneeling beside her memorial tablet.
People also later placed flowers at the roadside in remembrance of the victim, described as a loving mother who worked part-time as a nanny to support the household.
Police say a 30-year-old man surnamed Yang crashed his SUV into a scooter carrying a mother and daughter on Jhong’an Road (中安路) on the evening of March 7. The impact critically injured the mother, surnamed Li, who later died from her injuries.
Investigators reported finding about 5 grams of etomidate, a drug commonly referred to in Taiwan as a “zombie vape cartridge,” inside Yang’s vehicle. A rapid drug test also returned a positive result, according to police. Prosecutors have sought and obtained pretrial detention for the suspect on suspicion of causing death while driving under the influence of drugs.
