Keelung: Singer Kui (??) is set to face trial following an indictment for vehicular homicide related to a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a taxi driver while Kui was allegedly driving under the influence. The incident occurred in Keelung last December, as detailed by local prosecutors.

According to Focus Taiwan, the taxi driver, identified by the surname Lee (?), was engaged in a conversation with another man, surnamed Chen (?), on the side of Xinyi Road in Keelung when they were struck by a vehicle at approximately 4:16 a.m. on December 27. The vehicle was driven by the 26-year-old singer, who reportedly did not stop after the collision, fleeing the scene and running a red light as a witness attempted to pursue the car.

Prosecutors revealed that Kui had been consuming alcohol from midnight until 4 a.m. before driving to a friend's house in Keelung. Following the incident, Kui failed to report the crash, did not contact emergency services, and neglected to administer first aid at the scene.

Chen sustained contusions from the accident, while Lee required emergency surgery but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on January 3. Kui was questioned by prosecutors on January 7, leading to a court-approved detention. He remains held incommunicado, with his detention extended following a prosecution request in late February.

Due to the severity of the charges, Kui will be judged by a panel comprising six citizen judges and three professional judges. This judicial setup has been in effect since January 1, 2023, in Taiwan for trials involving defendants accused of intentional crimes resulting in death.