The New Taipei City government has announced compensation for the victims and
families affected by yesterday's fatal traffic accident in Sanxia District.

A car driven by a 78-year-old man surnamed Yu plowed through pedestrians at
an intersection near Beida Elementary School, killing three people --
including two 12-year-old girls -- and injuring twelve others, most of whom were students.

The city says it will provide condolence payments of up to 500-thousand NT,
depending on family income, and is coordinating social services to support
those impacted.

Authorities say the crash occurred during a pedestrian-only signal phase,
when all traffic lights were red.

Investigators say Yu ran the red light, struck several motorcycles and a
bicycle, and finally crashed into a traffic island.

Due to the complexity of the scene, police deployed a drone and forensic team
to document skid marks, fluid traces, and blood patterns.

The National Transportation Safety Board has also retrieved the vehicle's
event data recorder for analysis.

Police believe Yu may have been involved in a separate hit-and-run just
minutes earlier.

Surveillance footage shows that he reversed twice into another car at a red
light, then sped off -- eventually leading to the deadly crash.

The other driver filed a police report later that evening.

Yu is currently unconscious and undergoing surgery for serious internal
injuries.

Once he regains consciousness, police say they will question him about both
the suspected hit-and-run and the fatal collision.

The crash has also renewed calls for stricter testing and license renewal
rules for elderly drivers.

Yu's wife told reporters that he suffers from diabetes and a chronic illness,
but has no history of heart or brain disease.

She also confirmed that he was involved in a previous traffic accident near
the same area five years ago.

(IG)