Unlicensed senior driver who killed 2 children sentenced to 14 months

Taipei, Oct. 30 (CNA) An unlicensed elderly driver who struck and killed two elementary school children in central Taiwan in 2024 has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for negligent homicide.

According to a verdict released by the Changhua District Court on Thursday, the judge handed down the sentence to the driver, a 74-year-old man surnamed Hsiao (蕭), who showed no remorse for driving without a license and failed to reach a settlement with the victims' family.

The ruling can be appealed.

The incident occurred in Shengang Township, Changhua County, at 6:21 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2024, when Hsiao's SUV was traveling at 77 kilometers per hour as three Chen siblings -- two sisters and a brother -- were crossing an intersection on a crosswalk while the pedestrian light was red.

The two sisters, who were in the third and fourth grades, initially stopped breathing at the scene but were resuscitated by emergency personnel. They remained in critical condition and died in September and October of the same year.

Police ruled out the possibility of the motorist driving under the influence.

During the trial, Hsiao argued that he was not at fault, claiming he did not exceed the speed limit and that the traffic light was green.

Under Taiwan's traffic laws, however, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks regardless of the traffic light.

Also on Monday, the children's grandfather told CNA he planned to appeal the ruling, calling it "unfair." The Changhua District Prosecutors Office said it would decide whether to appeal after receiving the verdict, adding that the family's views would be taken into consideration.