News & Politics

Wrong-Way Driver Causes Chaos in Chongqing, Faces Police Investigation

A 44-year-old man from Kunming, Yunnan, is in police custody after driving his SUV the wrong way down a busy street in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, and colliding with several vehicles. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 12, caused a stir among local residents and prompted a robust response from both police and bystanders.

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13 February 2024

According to official reports, the man, identified only as Wang, was driving a SUV with a Yunnan license plate when he began driving in the wrong direction on Zhonghua Road. He then collided with multiple vehicles, causing significant damage. In an attempt to evade authorities, Wang tried to flee the scene but was apprehended with the help of both police officers and members of the public. No one was injured in the incident.

Chongqing police have confirmed that Wang has been detained and that the case is under further investigation. Social media users quickly took to local platforms to discuss the incident, with many expressing shock and anger at the driver's reckless behavior.

"This kind of person should be severely punished," wrote one Weibo user. "If there had been more pedestrians in the area, the situation could have been even worse."

The tense scene was captured on video and shared widely across Chinese social media platforms. In the footage, a large crowd can be seen surrounding the crashed vehicles and attempting to restrain the driver, who is seen exiting his own vehicle. Some bystanders, including a man wearing a red jacket, were praised for their efforts in helping to control the situation.

"The guy in the red jacket was really impressive," commented one user. "After the driver was taken out of the car, he kept shouting for help as people started to beat him. The police officers tried to stop the attack, asking people not to hit him and risk injuring him further. It's a tough job for them – they need to protect the public while also ensuring that the suspect doesn't get killed by the angry crowd."

The incident prompted some Weibo users to call for increased security measures, suggesting that special patrols be deployed in sensitive areas or at key times to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

"The authorities should learn from cities like Guangzhou," wrote one user. "They have special police units guarding important areas during peak hours. This kind of measure could help prevent situations like this from happening again."

Others accused the driver of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, with some suggesting that his behavior was a reflection of a lack of respect for public safety and property.

The police have not yet released information on whether Wang was indeed intoxicated, and it remains unclear if that would have any bearing on the legal consequences he may face as a result of the incident.

As the investigation continues, many Weibo users have expressed their outrage at the driver's actions and called for strict penalties to be imposed. Some have also shown appreciation for the role played by members of the public and the police in preventing the situation from escalating further.

"The police officers did a great job in controlling the situation," wrote one user. "It must have been really difficult for them – they had to protect the public from the driver, while also making sure he wasn't beaten to death by the angry crowd. Kudos to them for their professionalism and restraint."

With the case now under further investigation, it remains to be seen what legal repercussions Wang will face for his reckless actions. However, as public outrage continues to grow, it is clear that many in Chongqing and beyond are calling for swift and severe action to be taken against those who endanger the lives and property of others through their reckless behavior on the roads.