In the early morning of October 13, 2025, a tragic traffic accident occurred on the southern section of Tianfu Avenue in Chengdu. A Xiaomi SU7 sedan collided with another vehicle while traveling at high speed, then crossed the central median and caught fire, resulting in the death of the driver. According to an official statement from the Chengdu Public Security Bureau Traffic Management Bureau, preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was suspected of drunk driving.
Incident Details: High-Speed Rear-End Collision Followed by Loss of Control and Fire
According to the statement released by the Chengdu Public Security Bureau Traffic Management Bureau on the afternoon of October 13, at approximately 3:18 AM that day, 31-year-old driver Deng drove a small sedan with Sichuan AC license plate southbound along Tianfu Avenue. After passing through the Tianfu Fifth Street intersection and entering the southern section of Tianfu Avenue, the vehicle collided with a small sedan with Sichuan AA license plate driven by Li, who was traveling in the same direction. The vehicle then crossed the road’s central median and caught fire. The accident resulted in the death of driver Deng, with both vehicles sustaining varying degrees of damage.
According to on-site videos and information provided by eyewitnesses, the vehicle was driving abnormally before the incident. While waiting at a traffic light, some netizens reported hearing the driver shouting loudly inside the car. The vehicle then traveled at high speed. Multiple dashcam videos show that the Xiaomi SU7 was traveling at speeds exceeding 100 km/h, with some videos showing speeds between 100 and 150 km/h. When the vehicle reached a traffic light intersection, it allegedly turned left to avoid a right-turning vehicle, then lost control, crashed into the median, rolled onto the opposite lane, and quickly caught fire, with flames spreading rapidly.
Rescue Hindered: Doors Remained Unable to Open
After the accident, several passing citizens immediately came forward to participate in the rescue. One eyewitness who participated in the rescue recalled that he was driving inbound on Tianfu Avenue when he saw the vehicle catch fire after the collision. He quickly pulled over, called 110 and 120, and then ran to assist in the rescue.
This rescuer stated that initially, he and two others tried to break the glass with their hands and feet, but couldn’t open it, so they asked other drivers if they had window-breaking tools. Someone brought a large wrench, which he used to strike the car window. After about four or five strikes, he broke half of the glass, and others reached in to try to open the car door, but couldn’t open it. Subsequently, obvious explosion sounds came from the chassis and inside the vehicle, suspected to be battery explosions, forcing everyone to retreat to a safer distance. Someone brought a foam fire extinguisher, but the vehicle continued to explode and burn, leaving them no choice but to retreat.
On-site videos show that 4 people attempted to forcefully open the car door by punching and kicking, but all attempts were unsuccessful. A video screenshot shows one man who participated in the rescue had his right hand cut and bleeding.
Fire Rescue: Electric Saw Used to Break Open Doors After Extinguishing Flames
After firefighters arrived at the scene, they immediately began firefighting operations, during which the car continued to burn with “popping” sounds. After the fire was extinguished, only the vehicle frame remained, and rescue personnel used hammers, electric saws and other tools to break open the car doors. Multiple videos and images show that the trapped driver had already lost vital signs.
A reporter from The Paper visited the scene at noon on October 13 and observed two obvious impact marks on the edge of the central median at the accident site, with the vehicle leaving minimal traces when crossing the median. Sanitation workers who arrived for work in the morning said that by the time they arrived, the scene had been mostly cleaned up, and they only cleared the remaining debris and glass fragments.
Official Statement: Suspected Drunk Driving Under Investigation
The Chengdu Public Security Bureau Traffic Management Bureau clearly stated in its official statement that tests showed Deng was suspected of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Currently, the accident is under further investigation. After receiving the report, public security, fire, and medical rescue departments quickly arrived at the scene for response.
Xiaomi Auto customer service representatives stated that because the incident occurred at 3 AM, there were no staff on duty during that time period, and they did not receive any calls for help or reports. Chengdu Fire Department responded that the specific cause of the accident is still under investigation and it was not convenient to accept interviews.
Staff from the Accident Investigation Unit of the Sixth Traffic Police Branch of Chengdu stated that they will handle the accident in accordance with laws and regulations. Relevant staff from the High-tech Zone Emergency Management Bureau confirmed that an accident did occur, and that private vehicle accidents are investigated and handled by the traffic police department.
Accident Sparks Safety Discussions
This accident has sparked ongoing discussions about vehicle safety and emergency rescue. The fact that the car doors consistently could not be opened from the outside has attracted widespread attention. Even after breaking the windows, the doors still could not be opened, and the vehicle’s continuous explosions and burning left the citizens participating in the rescue feeling helpless.
According to the official statement, driver Deng was suspected of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, which was an important factor leading to the accident. Currently, the detailed cause of the accident is still under further investigation, and relevant departments will handle it in accordance with laws and regulations.
