An intoxicated man has hit two student roller-skaters with his car on the campus of Heibei University on the evening of Oct. 16. One student later died in hospital and another remains hospitalized for her injuries.

The 22-year-old man, named Li Qiming, was taking a friend of his to the campus. Witnesses were quoted by the Beijing News as saying that the car entered the campus at normal speed but then suddenly accelerated about 100 meters inside the campus.

The car hit two students who were roller-skating in front of a school supermarket at around 9:40 p.m..

The car was already seen as out of control before the accident, according to eye witness accounts, and did not make any noticeable efforts to slow down even after the incident. The driver continued, dropped his friend off at the female dormitory and then drove back on the same road, apparently trying to exit the campus.

The car drove past the two students who were lying on the roadside receiving care from school doctors. However the car did not stop nor did it slow down, but continued to speed toward the gate, the report said quoting witnesses.

The car was then stopped by students and security guards at about 300 meters from the university gate. Bystanders called an ambulance and notified campus security.

The driver, after the car was stopped, then got out and was heard shouting "try to sue me" and "my father is Li Gang." Witnesses were also quoted as saying they smelled strong alcohol smell on the driver, Li Qiming, who was then taken away by police. Blood testing by the police at the site confirmed Li Qiming was intoxicated while driving.

The report confirmed from anonymous sources that Li Qiming's father was indeed Li Gang, the deputy director of the Baoding City public security bureau's branch in Beishi district, where Hebei University was located.

The accident has triggered debate on whether the Li should be charged with the crime of absconding after causing a traffic accident or the crime of endangering public safety.

Zhou Ze, a Beijing-based lawyer, was quoted in the report as saying that the police was right in arresting Li Qiming on the former charge, as he believed that the driver lacked subjective intent, which was a pre-requisite for the latter charge, which usually carries heavier punishment. The lawyer also said road safety laws should be applied in this case, as the accident was cause on public road, although inside the campus.

The university limits vehicle speed within 5 kilometers per hour on the campus and the speed limit was displayed on a warning board at the entrance gate, the report said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2010)