TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A 28-year-old Taiwanese army staff sergeant and a 4-year-old girl died in a scooter crash Saturday (Aug. 3) night in Hualien.

The staff sergeant, surnamed Jan (冉), was riding south on Provincial Highway 9 around 8 p.m. when he lost control and struck an electric pole. The child, surnamed Chu (朱), was a passenger, per CNA.

A blood test revealed that Jan's blood alcohol content was 1.06 milligrams per liter, far exceeding the legal limit. The Army Huadong Defense Command confirmed that Jan was on leave Saturday.

Jan had already stopped breathing, and Chu suffered severe head injuries when emergency responders arrived at the scene. Both were rushed to the Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital for emergency treatment but did not survive. 

Police are investigating the crash and are reviewing surveillance footage from the area. Autopsies will be performed on both victims to determine the cause of death.