A Foreigner, A Crash, and a Sudden Departure—Then Came the Twist

Source: OT-Team(G), 平安浙江网

In late June, a routine traffic case in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province took an unexpected turn after a foreign national involved in the accident suddenly left China, leaving the dispute in limbo.

The incident occurred in the jurisdiction of a local traffic police squadron. Investigators determined that a foreign driver, identified as M, and a local e-bike rider, Mr. Lu, shared responsibility, with M bearing the primary fault. Lu suffered a serious leg fracture requiring surgery, and both parties initially agreed to settle compensation afterward. But by mid-July, after repeated attempts to contact M, Lu's wife discovered he was unreachable. With mounting medical bills and recovery costs, a crutch-bound Lu, supported by his wife, sought help from the traffic police. The case was soon transferred to a special mediation team dedicated to handling complex traffic disputes.

Complicating matters, M's vehicle had not been properly insured, making him personally liable for compensation. By late July, the mediation team worked closely with the local immigration bureau to track M's status. When it was confirmed that he had already returned to his home country, police did not simply close the case.

Instead, with assistance from immigration officers, the squadron established direct contact with M via WeChat. M, who had lived in China for many years and previously worked at a foreign trade company in Shaoxing, is fluent in Chinese. He explained that he had rushed home due to a family emergency and authorized a Chinese friend, Mr. Wang, to represent him in the settlement process.

Over the following weeks, the mediation team organized five separate rounds of negotiations. Police carefully reviewed medical invoices, clarified the legal framework, and designed a fair compensation plan. They also provided continuous updates to both sides—comforting the injured family while patiently guiding Wang through the legal procedures—to ensure transparency and prevent misunderstandings.

On August 12, the efforts paid off: both parties formally signed a mediation agreement, bringing the cross-border dispute to a close.

Note: The nationalities and names mentioned in this article have been anonymized for privacy.