Court finds in favor of defendant in good samaritan suit

A court in Tangshan, Hebei Province, has thrown out a lawsuit by the family of a man who was killed while trying to flee from a hit-and-run in early 2017.

A court in Tangshan rules in favor of Zhu Zhenbiao on February 12, 2018. Zhu was being sued by the family of a hit-and-run driver he was attempting to chase down. That man was killed by a passing train during the pursuit. [Photo: IC]

The surviving family of Zhang Yonghuan had attempted to sue a good samaritan who was attempting to keep track of him after he fled the scene of a motor vehicle accident, demanding compensation of 600,000 yuan.

However, the court has ruled the actions of Zhu Zhenbiao were "lawful" and in the public interest.

Zhu witnessed Zhang become involved in the accident, and gave chase after Zhang fled the scene. Zhang was later killed by a passing train while trying to outrun the good samaritan.

Zhang Yonghuan's family had attempted to argue it was Zhu's actions which became the direct result of his death.

The case, dubbed by some as a "good samaritan being put in the dock," has sparked a lot of discussion about the responsibility good samaritans have in today's society in China.