On December 4th, a video showing a truck driver jumping off a highway bridge to his death after being stopped by traffic police was circulated online.
The video shows a truck being stopped by traffic police on the highway bridge at night. After getting out of the truck, the driver swiftly crosses the road and runs straight to the left side railing of the bridge, without any hesitation, then jumps off the bridge. The sudden incident caught the two traffic police officers off guard, and they were unable to stop him.
Another video shows the truck driver lying dead at the scene, covered with a blue cloth. His family members were seen crying and questioning the police on how they drove their family member to suicide, demanding to see the surveillance footage. The two traffic police officers were sitting on the ground, hanging their heads low, allowing the family members to hit them.
According to a report by Red Star News, the incident occurred on the evening of the 3rd near the northern section of the elevated bridge in Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan.
On the 4th, when the media contacted the local police station on Fengqing Road, they confirmed the incident but could not disclose details about the driver who jumped off the bridge.
Officials from the Zhengzhou Municipal Transportation Bureau told Jixun News that the vehicle was suspected of being an overloaded truck. According to the regulations in Zhengzhou, overloaded trucks are not allowed on the highway bridge.
The incident has sparked doubts among internet users.
Many netizens expressed, “Even if he had no documents or was driving under the influence, he could have been detained for a few days, but resorting to suicide is extreme.” “If he is not afraid of death, what else could scare him?”
Some netizens pointed out the increasing pressure faced by lower-class people, stating, “The driver was probably terrified of the traffic police, as they could fine him to death.” “The joint traffic law enforcement fines are over ten thousand yuan each time, and now with business being tough, drivers are understandably afraid.” “In that moment when he jumped off the bridge, the driver must have felt extremely helpless, desperate, and frustrated by the injustices in society. It’s highly likely that he had just been fined recently!” “Is there any way out for drivers? Every little thing could potentially trigger their mental breakdown.”
Netizens questioned: Who is ultimately responsible for driving the driver to commit suicide?