A tragic car accident in Taiwan yesterday afternoon claimed the life of an 18-year-old boy after he reportedly took his family’s Mercedes without permission and collided with multiple vehicles.
The incident occurred at around 4:42 pm on a road in Tianwei, Changhua County. The teen, surnamed Ko, allegedly rammed into a lorry in the outer lane with high impact, causing his car to burst into flames. The vehicle then veered left and struck another sedan in the inner lane.
Fire Engulfs Car, Teen Dies
Firefighters and highway police received the emergency call immediately. Five fire engines, one ambulance, and 11 firefighters rushed to the scene, arriving at 4:55 pm. Unfortunately, the Mercedes had already been fully engulfed in fire, and Ko was found deceased inside the vehicle. Authorities confirmed he had suffered fatal burns.
The lorry driver, a 58-year-old man surnamed Liu, escaped unharmed, as did the 57-year-old male driver of the second car, surnamed Chen. However, a 57-year-old female passenger in Chen’s vehicle sustained pain in her right upper arm from the collision and was sent to Changhua Hospital for treatment.
Investigation Ongoing
Ko had just turned 18 this year, and it remains unclear whether he was licensed to drive. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, including potential speeding, distraction, or driving without a valid licence.
Police continue to gather evidence and statements to determine the full circumstances of this shocking incident, which has sparked concern over teen access to vehicles and road safety.