A 23-year-old female cleaner was killed in a tragic drunk-driving incident in Tainan City after being struck by a Mercedes-Benz driven by 48-year-old “Ba Pa Ya” restaurant owner Zheng Chuan-ji. The victim’s sister shared on social media late on the 17th the harrowing details of her sister’s injuries, describing how her lower body had been so badly mangled that “the skin was barely holding the flesh together,” and that five mortuary restoration specialists were required to repair the body, leaving her heartbroken.
The crash occurred on the morning of December 16, around 8 a.m., while the woman was working behind a garbage truck. Zheng, reportedly heavily intoxicated, ran over her, causing catastrophic lower-body injuries and immediate death. Witnesses say he refused to get out of the car, falsely claiming a driver-for-hire had been behind the wheel. Reports also suggest he may have attempted to sell property to evade liability. Prior to the crash, Zheng had already consumed alcohol at two separate gatherings but ignored warnings from friends not to drive, sparking outrage from the victim’s family.
Anger at the incident extended online, with the Google listing of Zheng’s “Ba Pa Ya” fried duck restaurant being changed by users to read “Drunk-Driver Killer Cuisine.”
The victim’s sister expressed gratitude toward the five restoration specialists who worked tirelessly to repair her sister’s severely damaged body. She wrote: “We are truly thankful to the restorers who worked day and night to help us. What they achieved is already incredible, and we are deeply grateful.”
She also thanked members of the public for their support and condolences: “Thank you all for comforting us and for offering help unconditionally. We have received all your care, and we are truly grateful.”
The funeral date has not yet been set, but netizens have already posted messages demanding justice and calling for stricter punishment for drunk drivers. Many urged that drunk-driving offenses should carry the harshest penalties, noting the devastating impact on families and the importance of preventing similar tragedies in the future.
