Background of drunk driver probed

The family-owned enterprise of a woman who was drunk driving and slammed into another car in an accident that killed two men in Yongcheng, Central China's Henan province, has fallen under suspicion for illegal land use.

According to the witness, the 23-year-old suspect had caused abrasions to several cars after drinking a few bottles of beer with her friends at a barbecue restaurant on July 3, then crashed her Maserati into the back of a BMW at a traffic junction, causing the car to burst into flames and killing the two people inside.

Local police said the driver was drunk when she got into her car, and was injured along with her two friends.

The accident sparked heated discussion on China's social media, and people found her parents own a donkey-hide gelatin business, selling traditional Chinese medicinal products. Family background information of the driver was spread online, and Beijing News reported the family business was suspected of engaging in illegal land use.

The local natural resources department said they will arrange an investigation and respond after confirming the situation.

According to the police, the driver's blood alcohol level was tested to be 167.66 micrograms per 100 milliliters of blood, more than twice the legal limit of 80 micrograms.

The driver and her friends in the car are recovering in hospital from their injuries. Police said they will be arrested on charges of endangering public safety.