On the morning of March 16th, a traffic accident occurred on the commercial avenue in Nanbu County, Nanchong City, Sichuan Province, where a 16-year-old high school student was crossing the road along the zebra crossing. While waiting at the center of the road on the solid line, he was hit by a car and tragically passed away.
Multiple netizens in Nanchong posted videos on social media on March 16th, reporting a student from a local high school involved in an accident that morning.
The viral video footage showed that it was dawn when the incident happened, with a person carefully crossing the road along the zebra crossing, stopping to wait at the center of the road on the solid line. In a split second, a car speeding along the center line of the road hit him, causing him to be thrown into the air. Upon landing, he fell on the opposite lane and was run over by another car that did not see him in time.
According to a report from Dahe Daily on March 17th, the staff of the traffic police squadron in Nanbu County confirmed the occurrence of the accident, mentioning that specific details needed to be clarified with the traffic accident squadron, but they were unable to provide contact information. Subsequently, Dahe Daily reporters tried to contact the local public security bureau but were unable to get through on the phone.
Medical staff at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Nanbu County’s emergency department stated that on that morning, a student was indeed involved in an accident on the commercial avenue, with the hospital dispatching an ambulance to the scene, but specific details could not be disclosed.
On the afternoon of March 16th, officials from the Education and Sports Bureau of Nanbu County informed Dahe Daily reporters that the accident resulted in the death of a 16-year-old freshman student, emphasizing that the exact circumstances of the accident should be based on information from the traffic police department.
Analysis suggests that the accident occurred in dim lighting conditions, and factors such as the oncoming vehicle using high beams may have also affected the driver’s visibility.
The incident quickly sparked attention online and trended in the top ten on Weibo.
Netizens commented, “The white car from the other side turned on its high beams, possibly dazzling the driver.” “The speed of this car is faster than all other cars nearby.” “One daring to use high beams, one daring to accelerate in unclear visibility… Blind driving.” “Turning on high beams is a reason, but dare to drive so fast in conditions where vision is obstructed by lights? Blind driving.” “The driver showed no awareness when crossing the zebra line, no sign of reducing speed.”
“I have stayed in this area for two years and always found it strange why many major intersections in Nanbu County do not have traffic lights.” “I fear these intersections with zebra crossings but no traffic lights the most.” “Suggesting promoting nationwide respect for pedestrians before zebra crossings!”