A man whose vehicle struck and killed a prominent cryptocurrency analyst earlier this month has been indicted on charges of negligent homicide and negligence resulting in injury. Prosecutors, after completing a 12-day investigation, concluded that there was no evidence of conspiracy or foul play behind the fatal accident.
Details of the Fatal Incident
On December 4, 2024, a tragic accident occurred on Freeway No. 1 in Hsinchu County when a driver, identified only by his last name Hsu, crashed into the rear of an Uber taxi that was carrying cryptocurrency analyst Chen Mei-hui and her boyfriend, surnamed Hsieh. The couple had been stuck in traffic caused by a previous pileup on the freeway. Chen, who had been working as the chief financial fraud investigator at the XREX crypto exchange, was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries around 3 a.m. The boyfriend, Hsieh, who works at Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), was hospitalized but survived with injuries.
The Investigation and Media Speculation
Chen’s death initially raised suspicion due to her involvement in multiple sensitive investigations surrounding crypto fraud and alleged information leaks. Some media outlets speculated that her death was part of a planned attack, potentially orchestrated to silence her over her knowledge of several high-profile cases. The media reports also questioned the absence of a memory card in the driver’s dashcam, which could have provided crucial footage from the incident.
However, the Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office conducted an extensive investigation, ruling out the conspiracy theories. Prosecutor Huang Chen-lun clarified during a press conference that Hsu admitted to having forgotten to reinsert the memory card in his dashcam after removing it for an unrelated insurance claim. Despite this, investigators were able to obtain video footage from nearby vehicles, corroborating the events of the crash.
Prosecutors’ Findings: No Foul Play
After examining the circumstances of the crash, the prosecutors determined that the accident was caused by a chain reaction resulting from an earlier traffic incident. The pileup had caused a 2-kilometer-long traffic jam, and vehicles had stopped suddenly in the northbound lanes. Hsu, driving an SUV at a speed of approximately 106-108 km/h, failed to notice the halted cars in front of him in time. The prosecutor’s office emphasized that Hsu’s late braking, combined with the bend in the road, caused the crash.
The two accidents, which occurred 25 minutes apart, were analyzed, and police found no evidence that the collision was intentionally staged. The fact that cars had been constantly changing lanes during this period further led investigators to dismiss any allegations of premeditated harm.
Forensic Evidence and Toxicology Report
To address rumors circulating around Chen’s condition before the crash, prosecutors conducted a forensic examination. The results showed that Chen had not consumed alcohol or any narcotics at the time of her death, ruling out the possibility that she had been drugged prior to getting into the taxi.
Driver’s Indictment
As a result of the investigation, Hsu has been formally indicted for negligent homicide and negligence resulting in injury. The charges were brought forward due to his failure to maintain a proper speed and distance from the stopped vehicles on the freeway. The legal proceedings against Hsu are set to continue as the investigation concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is Chen Mei-hui?
A: Chen Mei-hui was a cryptocurrency analyst and the chief financial fraud investigator at the XREX crypto exchange. She was involved in high-profile investigations related to crypto fraud.
Q: What happened in the accident?
A: Chen’s Uber taxi was rear-ended by an SUV driven by Hsu on Freeway No. 1 in Hsinchu County on December 4, 2024. The crash occurred due to a traffic jam caused by an earlier pileup.
Q: Why was there speculation about foul play?
A: Given Chen’s involvement in sensitive investigations involving crypto fraud, some media outlets speculated that her death could have been planned. However, prosecutors found no evidence of conspiracy.
Q: What evidence was found during the investigation?
A: Investigators retrieved video footage from nearby vehicles, which confirmed that the crash was caused by the driver’s failure to notice the stopped vehicles ahead of him.
Q: Was there any evidence of drug use in Chen’s system?
A: No, the forensic examination showed that Chen had not consumed any alcohol or narcotics prior to the crash.
Table: Key Points of the Case
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Accident | December 4, 2024 |
| Location | Freeway No. 1, Hsinchu County |
| Fatalities | Chen Mei-hui (Crypto analyst) |
| Injuries | Hsieh (Boyfriend, CIB officer) |
| Driver Indicted | Hsu (SUV driver) |
| Charges | Negligent homicide, negligence resulting in injury |
| Cause of Accident | Rear-end collision due to failure to notice stopped vehicles |
