Accident-involved driver surrenders to police after fleeing

A truck driver involved in a traffic accident which killed seven and injured 12 in east China's Anhui province Thursday has given himself up to the police after fleeing the accident spot, local police sources said Saturday.

The accident happened in Wuhe county at 6:40 a.m. Thursday when a bus with 19 people on board tumbled off the roadbed and fell into a nearby river after it collided with a truck in the opposite direction.

One passenger on the bus died on the spot and other six died after being rushed to hospital. Two children were seriously injured in the accident, who are still under intensive care by press time. The bus driver identified as Ou Mingchang was among the injured list.

The truck driver, named Cui Feng, fled the accident spot to escape the punishment. He gave himself up to the local police Friday morning, accompanied by his family members, after about a 24-hour runaway. He is now in detention

According to China's newly-promulgated law on road and traffic safety, which took effect in May 1 this year, an accident-involved driver who flees the accident spot will receive the punishment of being deprived of his drive license for lifetime and will be charged with full responsibility as well. But the charge can be alleviated if the other side is proved to be partly liable.

Source: Xinhua