Police are saying that an incident in which an SUV slammed into the presidential office early Monday morning was an accident.
The vehicle crashed into a stainless steel platform in front of the presidential office on Ketagalan Bouvelard about a quarter before 7:00 am. Police said the accident happened when the driver, a man surnamed Lin, was using his cellphone to take a picture.
Lin’s family told police that he is emotionally unstable and has sought psychiatric help.
After taking Lin into custody, police found that he has a criminal record that includes charges of theft.
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has reacted to the incident by suggesting that it would be safer to move the presidential office to Dazhi, an area of Taipei that is home to a military command center. However, Ko also said that such a move might not be practical because of the amount of work that would be involved.
The presidential office in downtown Taipei served as the governor-general’s office when Taiwan was under the Japanese colonial rule.