A shocking road tragedy unfolded in Chengdu, China, after a driver allegedly ploughed into pedestrians at a busy city junction before fleeing the scene and continuing a dangerous driving spree that left at least one person dead and 11 others injured.
The incident occurred on 1 May at around 5.20pm at the intersection of Jian’nan Avenue and Tianfu Fourth Street in the city’s high-tech zone, an area surrounded by major shopping centres and heavy foot traffic. According to police reports and circulating footage, a pink-and-silver private car was initially waiting at a traffic light before suddenly accelerating and making a sharp right turn when the signal changed to green.
The vehicle then mounted the pavement and struck multiple pedestrians who were crossing the road, sending them falling onto the ground. Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly continued moving, reversing back onto the road before again crashing into other road users, including a motorbike carrying two people.
Generally, urban intersections with high pedestrian density are considered high-risk zones, where even a brief lapse in control can lead to severe consequences, particularly during peak hours when visibility and reaction time are limited.
Authorities confirmed that the driver, a 31-year-old man surnamed Li, was arrested at the scene. Police stated that he is suspected of causing a traffic collision and fleeing the scene. Initial tests ruled out both alcohol and drug influence at the time of the crash.
Emergency services rushed injured victims to hospital for treatment, with officials confirming that a total of 12 people were affected, including one fatality. The condition of the remaining injured individuals has not been fully disclosed.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the incident, which has sparked widespread concern after videos of the chaotic scene circulated online.
