New Taipei: The driver of a speeding car that collided with pedestrians, resulting in at least three fatalities in New Taipei on Monday, is suspected of fleeing from a minor collision with another vehicle, police reported on Tuesday. Sanxia Precinct Chief Liu Wen-hsiung revealed that surveillance footage showed the 78-year-old driver, surnamed Yu, reversing into another car at a red light on Guoqing Road and Xuecheng Road before accelerating through a pedestrian crossing near Bei Da Elementary School.

According to Focus Taiwan, the tragic incident at the intersection of Guocheng Street and Guoguang Street resulted in the deaths of a woman in her 40s and two teenage female students. Additionally, 12 others sustained injuries, including Yu, who is currently in critical condition. Police are still investigating whether the earlier collision qualifies as a hit-and-run, as Yu is in a coma and unable to be questioned.

A parent, surnamed Ting, reported to CNA that students from Bei Da Elementary School saw the sedan getting stuck on a traffic divider and reversing twice into another vehicle before speeding off toward Guocheng Street and the school access lane.

Further reports have surfaced indicating that Yu was previously involved in a 2020 traffic incident with a female pedestrian and a baby stroller on Guoqing Road in Sanxia. Sanxia police confirmed that Yu was the driver in the incident five years ago, which was deemed a case of negligence resulting in injury. A settlement was reached between the parties, and no charges were pressed by the prosecutor.

Preliminary records indicate that Yu has accumulated seven traffic violations over the past five years, primarily for parking infractions such as stopping in red zones and double parking.