Drink-driver sentenced to death for hit-and-run rampage in east China

A driver was sentenced to death Thursday for a hit-and-run rampage that killed two people and injured seven others after he had been drinking in east China's Anhui Province.

Dong Fei, 33, was convicted of endangering public safety after hitting 11 people in Fuyang City in March, according to a statement issued by the Fuyang Intermediate People's Court after Thursday's trial.

The SUV Dong was driving first hit a woman on Shuangqing Road at around 9 p.m. on March 21, but did not stop. Dong turned off the headlights and drove on, said the statement.

The vehicle hit 10 more pedestrians before it crashed into a heavy truck. Two victims died in hospital and seven were injured. Dong was also injured in the collision

Police reported that Dong had been drinking.

The court also ruled that Dong paid families of the victims a total of 1.54 million yuan (232,000 U.S. dollars) in compensation.

Dong said he would appeal.

Source: Xinhua