Taoyuan: The driver of a bus involved in an accident that left a 20-year-old student severely injured at Chang Gung University in Taoyuan's Guishan District may face criminal charges. The incident took place last Thursday evening when a San Chung Bus Co. vehicle, while making a left turn on a campus road, struck the student, surnamed Wang, as he was crossing at a marked crosswalk.
According to Focus Taiwan, the student is currently in intensive care with severe injuries, including a perineal laceration and numerous abrasions to his lower limbs after being trapped under the bus. Despite the severity of the situation, the student was found conscious at the scene. The bus driver, surnamed Liao, tested negative for alcohol, but authorities plan to refer him to the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of negligent bodily harm.
San Chung Bus Co. expressed their regret and stated their commitment to taking full responsibility for the incident. General Manager Lee Chien-wen visited the hospital on the night of the accident to extend a personal apology to the student's family and assured them that the company would cover all related costs. In a further statement, the company clarified that the driver did not adhere to the rule requiring vehicles to stop and check before turning on campus roads. It was also confirmed that the driver's working hours were within legal limits and his last day off was on March 21.
The company has already provided NT$200,000 (US$6,242) in compensation and promised to implement stricter safety measures. This includes better enforcement of turning protocols and the deployment of AI-assisted monitoring systems to ensure drivers perform thorough checks before making turns.
Police have dismissed rumors circulating online suggesting the victim was run over multiple times, clarifying that surveillance footage confirmed the bus stopped immediately following the collision. Investigations into the exact cause of the accident are still underway.