´Brain dead´ Fudan grad dies

cctv.com 03-14-2005 09:28

Doctors pulled the plug last Thursday on respiratory equipment that had kept a Fudan University graduate alive after he was pronounced brain dead following a car accident in California, according to the Berkeley Chinese Student and Scholars Association.

Wang Jie was studying for a doctoral degree at the University of California at Berkeley when he was severely injured during a car crash on February 23.

A Chinese student group had tried to find experts in traditional Chinese medicine to treat Wang, after American doctors pronounced him brain dead.

But he began to suffer a severe lung infection on March 7, which severely hampered his breathing. After getting permission from Wang's parents, doctors at Highland Hospital in Oakland removed a respirator that was keeping Wang alive at 2pm on March 9.

"Since Wang has a serious internal infection, it was only proper to save him from suffering from pain any longer," said Dai Bo, director of the Berkeley student association.

The association plans to hold a memorial activity for Wang on the UC Berkeley campus next week. Fellow Chinese students have asked the university to comfort Wang's parents by awarding him an honorary doctorate, Dai said. Wang's car was hit by a driver who blew through a red light while fleeing from police. A police officer had started to chase the car after he thought he saw the driver involved in a drug deal.

It is unclear, however, if he was still chasing the vehicle when the collision occurred, or if he had already broken off the pursuit. Wang's parents are currently talking to lawyers in an effort to seek compensation for their son's death from the police.

Students at Fudan University had raised 6,600 yuan (US$795) for Wang's medical bills. The money will now be passed on to his parents, the school said.

Editor:Chen Jie  Source:CCTV.com