Drug driving takes away not only a life, but also the future of a family.
"Reject drug driving and guard every road home."
On the evening of September 30, 2024, while performing patrol duties, Chief Liu Zongxin of the Qingshui Police Station of the Tucheng Police Station in New Taipei City discovered that the license plate of the vehicle driven by Chen Jiaying was different, so he and his colleagues stepped forward to investigate.
According to the finding of the court of First Instance, Chen Jiaying had taken drugs containing methamphetamine, ketamine and etomidate before driving on that day; the police also found suspected drugs during the investigation.
When Liu Zongxin reached into the car to control the steering wheel to prevent Chen Jiaying from escaping, Chen Jiaying suddenly accelerated away. The court found that she knew Liu Zongxin was still beside the vehicle, still drove at high speed, snaked, and hit the MRT construction guardrail next to the road with the left side of the vehicle. Liu Zongxin was violently hit by the car body and the guardrail, and was seriously injured. He eventually died in the line of duty.
Basic information of the case
What is this case?
This case occurred during the police's routine patrol and interrogation duties. According to the finding of the court of First Instance, the defendant was driving after taking a variety of drugs. The police discovered that the license plate was abnormal and came forward to conduct an investigation. Suspected drugs were also found at the scene.
In order to prevent the vehicle from escaping, Liu Zongxin reached into the car and tried to control the steering wheel. The court found that the defendant still accelerated away at this time, then drove at a high speed, snaked, and hit the left side of the vehicle against the construction guardrail beside the road, causing Liu Zongxin to be hit and seriously injured and died.
Therefore, the core of the Judicial Proceedings is not only "Death caused by drug driving", but also whether the defendant had the criminal intention to kill as a result of the possible fatal injury to the police officer during the escape process.
First Instance judgment
On February 11, 2026, the New Taipei District Court was judged by Citizen Judges. The collegial court determined that Chen Jiaying's behavior had the intention to kill, and believed that in order to evade police investigation, she drove at high speed and hit the guardrail, causing the Death of a police officer who was on duty in accordance with the law. The crime was serious.
Death penalty
Not yet determinedThe court made the verdict based on the crimes of homicide, obstructing official business and drug driving.
Deprived of public power for life
The case is in the second instance of appealThe Death sentence must still go through the subsequent appeals process.
It is worth noting that the first-instance prosecutor originally requested a life sentence; the court ultimately issued a Death sentence that was harsher than the prosecutor's request.
Issues at second instance
After the case was appealed to the Taiwan High Court, Chen Jiaying still denied murder intention. When the second trial was held for the first time in May 2026, she argued that she was only guilty of negligent Death; when the trial was held again on June 15 of the same year, she argued that the behavior was injury causing Death, not homicide.
The defense also raised disputes over issues such as the application of the Death penalty, intentional homicide and the sentencing procedure of the First Instance. Therefore, the second instance will re-examine whether the subjective mens rea, objective driving style, Death result and Death sentence at the time of the act meet relevant legal requirements.
The Death sentence in the First Instance is still not final until the High Court renders its verdict.
The core of the case: escape, or intentional murder?
When the driver knows that the police officer on duty is still clinging to and trapped beside the vehicle, but continues to escape at high speed and uses the body of the vehicle to hit the guardrail, is it just the Death caused by the escape, or does it have the intention to kill under the criminal law?
The first-instance Citizen Judge's court adopted the latter judgment and therefore issued the harshest Death sentence. The second instance will continue to examine whether the intention to kill is established and whether the Death penalty is legal and appropriate.
It wasn't just a police officer who was taken away
Liu Zongxin died in the line of duty while performing his duties in accordance with the law. His Death was not only the result of a criminal case, but also meant that a family had lost a husband, father and family member forever.
The main visual of this public welfare case uses "Drug driving takes away not only a life, but also the future of a family" as the core image. It puts police duty, family and protection in the same picture, reminding society that the risks caused by drug driving and refusing to escape are ultimately borne by real people and families.
We pay tribute to the fallen police officers and pay attention to the safety of every officer on duty and passers-by.
It is also the tomorrow of a home
Case timeline
incident
Liu Zongxin conducted an interrogation while performing patrol duties. According to the first-instance judgment, the defendant refused to be inspected and fled. Liu Zongxin was seriously injured when he was hit by the car body and the guardrail. He died in the line of duty after being sent to the hospital.
First instance verdict
The New Taipei District People's Court found that intentional homicide was established and sentenced Chen Jiaying to Death and deprivation of public rights for life.
The first hearing of the second instance
The case entered the second instance of the Taiwan High Court. The defendant denied homicide and claimed only negligent Death.
The second trial resumes
The defendant claimed that the act was an injury resulting in Death, not homicide; the defense also argued about the Death penalty and sentencing procedures.
The case continues to be heard
As of the last update of this page, the first-instance Death sentence has not yet been determined, and the second-instance proceedings are still ongoing.
Current progress of the case
Current public information shows that this case is still in the second instance trial stage of the Taiwan High Court. Therefore, the website should state that "the Death penalty was imposed in the First Instance, and the case is on appeal in the second instance." It is not appropriate to state that the Death penalty or the guilt of homicide have been determined.
Action Alliance's position
Drug driving, drunk driving and escaping from inspection are not just individual risky behaviors, but they transfer unpredictable fatal risks to all road users and frontline law enforcement personnel.
We record this case not to stay on a single debate about whether to Death or not, but to hope that society will continue to review drug-driving prevention, drug control, risks of resisting prosecution, on-duty safety, and Victim family support.
- How can you reduce the risk of driving under the influence of drugs so that drug-impaired driving can be stopped before you hit the road?
- Do the police have adequate equipment, training and support when conducting high-risk interviews and stops?
- How to balance the immediate danger of stopping the danger and the safety of the on-site police in cases of refusal to inspect and escape?
- Can the families of fallen police officers and other families of crime Victims receive long-term, sustainable support?
Description of data sources and Legal Status
This page is organized based on public court trial information and news reports. The verdict on the Chen Jiaying case is not yet final, and all criminal liability content should be subject to subsequent court decisions.
Last updated: August 10, 2026
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