A Chinese man facing charges for drunk driving staged his own death with the help of his family and then fled to another region, only to be apprehended by police.
The South China Morning Post reported that the prosecutor's office in Anyang, Henan province, disclosed the incident to local media on July 22.
The man, identified by the surname Xi, was arrested in January of last year for drunk driving. Police investigations revealed he had a history of two prior offenses for driving without a license while intoxicated. Xi was released on bail during the investigation.
Fearing a prison sentence, Xi decided to fake his own death. He later stated during police questioning that he felt anxious about the possibility of a guilty verdict due to mounting debts and his criminal record, which he believed would make it difficult to restart his life.
In June of last year, Xi purchased a coffin and scattered empty pill bottles around his home. He then held his breath and used cooling equipment to lower his body temperature, making it appear as though he had died from a drug overdose.
His family participated in the plan. Xi's mother and grandmother covered his face with a cloth, claiming it was disfigured from drugs, and hurriedly buried the coffin before sunset. Xi then fled to Yunnan province in southwestern China, claiming he was looking for a job.
When police responded to the death report, they were unable to verify the body as the coffin had already been buried. However, they found it suspicious that the family had prepared the coffin without attempting any emergency measures.
Investigations revealed that there were no death certificates, cremation records, or documents for canceling his household registration. Relatives and villagers also stated that only Xi's mother and grandmother had seen his face directly.
After reviewing CCTV footage, bank transactions, and call records, police concluded that Xi was alive and began tracking him down.
Xi was captured in April. The court sentenced him to five months in prison and fined him 20,000 yuan (approximately $3,900) the following month. Police also launched an investigation into Xi's mother and grandmother for concealing a criminal.
The prosecutor handling the case stated, "Faking one's death to evade the law is not only futile but can lead to more severe criminal liability."
The incident has garnered over 10 million views on Chinese social media, sparking widespread discussion. One user remarked, "Is it really that hard to avoid drunk driving? He tried every trick to escape punishment but ultimately got caught."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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