A heartbreaking road tragedy in Taiwan has left a father mourning the loss of yet another son after a 17-year-old boy allegedly rode a motorcycle while drunk and without a licence, crashing into a tree and killing both himself and his teenage girlfriend.
The fatal crash happened in the early hours of 21 July in Tainan. According to local reports, the 17-year-old, surnamed Liu, had been travelling with his 17-year-old girlfriend and two other friends. The group had set off on two motorcycles from Madou, planning to watch the sunrise at Anping.
At around 4am, Liu reportedly lost control of the motorcycle while travelling along Anbei Road near Zhouping 1st Street. The bike veered off the road and slammed into a roadside tree before catching fire.
Nearby residents rushed to help extinguish the flames, but by the time emergency services arrived, both teenagers had already lost vital signs. They were later pronounced dead in hospital.
Police investigations found that Liu did not possess a motorcycle licence. Blood tests later confirmed that his alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.
Father Loses Wife and Two Sons in Separate Road Tragedies
Speaking to Taiwanese media a day after the crash, Liu’s father revealed the devastating history that has haunted his family.
He said this was the second time in less than two years that he had lost a son in a motorcycle crash.
His elder son had also died at the age of 17 after riding a motorcycle without a licence. That fatal accident occurred only around 18 months earlier.
The grieving father said he had repeatedly warned his younger son not to ride before turning 18 and had promised to let him ride legally after reaching adulthood next year.
According to him, this was not even the teenager’s first time secretly taking the motorcycle. On a previous occasion, the boy had allegedly taken the keys without permission and crashed into a utility pole.
“You Wanted to Die, But Don’t Take Someone Else With You”
The father said he had reminded his son not to ride on the night before the fatal accident.
However, while leaving for work in the early morning, he noticed through his son’s phone location that he was in Anping. At around 4.33am, he sent a message asking why he had travelled there, unaware that his son had secretly taken a spare key, gone drinking and crashed.
During a visit to offer prayers for his son, the grieving father admitted he could not hide his anger.
He said he told his deceased son: “If you wanted to die, don’t drag someone else down with you.”
His frustration stemmed not only from losing another child, but also because another family had now lost their daughter in the same crash.
Wife Also Died in a Drink-Driving Crash
The father’s tragedy stretches back many years.
He revealed that his wife also died in a road crash involving alcohol when both sons were still in kindergarten.
She was just 24 years old when she reportedly crashed into a bridge pillar after drinking. He recalled that she suffered catastrophic injuries and died after being taken to hospital.
Following her death, he raised both boys on his own, only to later lose each of them in separate motorcycle accidents at the same age.
The latest case has once again sparked discussion in Taiwan over underage riding, drink-driving and the devastating consequences of ignoring traffic laws.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.