TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- After news broke on Sunday that a young deliveryman who had dozed off and smashed into four Ferraris collectively worth over NT$50 million (US$1.6 million), 45 volunteers have contacted authorities offering to help him pay the estimated NT$12 million bill to repair the sports cars.

While delivering goods in New Taipei City's Shiding District at 5 a.m. Sunday morning (Dec. 16), a 20-year-old man surnamed Lin (林) nodded off and smashed his van into four Ferrari sports cars parked on the roadside. The total value of the four Italian supercars is over NT$50 million, and the estimated cost to repair the damage inflicted by Lin's van is more than NT$12 million, but his vehicle was not covered by insurance.

The young man's plight has drawn the sympathy of many people, and police at the Xindian Police Precinct of New Taipei City Police Department said that, as of 9 a.m. yesterday morning (Dec. 18), over 45 people have contacted them expressing willingness to assist Lin in paying the huge bill, reported CNA.



Delivery van (left), Ferrari (right). (Photo from New Taipei City Police Department)

Police said that, early Sunday morning, four Ferraris were parked outside the parking lot of the Danlan Suspension Bridge in New Taipei City's Shiding District. All four of the Ferraris were different colors, with the front vehicle painted red, followed by models in blue, white, and yellow, respectively.

According to one of the owners of the souped up sports cars, the four drivers had gathered to take the Beiyi Road to Yilan. However, at 5:40 a.m., Lin suddenly scraped the side of the yellow Ferrari with his Mitsubishi van and then smashed into the back of the white vehicle. The white car then plowed into the blue car in front of it, and ultimately the lead red racer.

The yellow and white Ferraris suffered significant damage in the collision, while the blue vehicle received damage to its rear bumper. The red car, however, only suffered minor damage to its rear license plate.



Damage to blue Ferrari. (Photo from New Taipei City Police Department)

When police administered a breathalyzer test on Lin at the scene of the accident, it showed that his blood alcohol level was zero.

Lin said that his father died five years ago and he lives with his mother. Lin also has an older brother and younger sister, the latter of whom is currently in school.

Lin originally had been enrolled at Tungnan University, but he dropped out of school to work at a barbecue shop in Taipei. In his spare time, he helps his mother at her joss paper store in Shenkeng, and it was when he was on his way to her shop that the accident occurred.



Lin (left) and his mother (right) at her joss paper store. (CNA image)

On Monday, Lin and his mother spoke with reporters. Lin's mother said that he was the most caring of her three children, and it was because she was not feeling well that he was helping her deliver goods, reported CNA.

She said that she has no money or ability to help her son out with the cost of the accident and really feels that she wronged him. Lin said that he appreciated the concern and offers of help from all walks of life, and said that he was very sorry about the accident, but would face up to his responsibility, according to the report.

The red, blue, and yellow Ferraris are reported to be variants of the 488 and have an estimated price tag of NT$13 million. The most heavily damaged vehicle, the white Ferrari, is reported to be an F12, which has an estimated value of NT$17 million.



Minor damage to red Ferrari. (Photo from New Taipei City Police Department)

The total estimated value of the sports cars when brand new would be NT$50 million. Because the red Ferrari only suffered damage to its license plate, the owner decided not to file a report for compensation.

However, it is estimated the blue Ferrari will cost NT$4 million to repair; the yellow vehicle will cost NT$3 million to fix; and the white car will cost NT$5 million to mend. Thus, the total cost of repairs is estimated to be NT$12 million, reported Apple Daily.

However, after finding out about his plight on the news, a 48-year-old man surnamed Mai (麥), who runs a paint importing business, has come forward to offer to help out Lin with some of the repair costs, reported UDN.



Lin's mangled Mitsubishi van. (Photo from New Taipei City Police Department)

After receiving news from police that Mai was offering to help him pay some of the expenses, Lin reportedly broke down in tears.

An Australian exchange student surnamed Chen (陳) came to the store run by Lin's mother on Monday and donated NT$50,000 in a red envelope to help the family cover some of the costs, reported TVBS. When he donated the money, Chen told reporters, "I'm as young as he is now and I have the means, so decided to help them out."

The New Taipei City Social Welfare Department said those wishing to donate to the Lin family, can do so through a special account it has created titled "The New Taipei City Social Welfare Department Relief Association Special Account" (新北市社會救濟會報專戶). The account number is 027038002803 and is through the Bank of Taiwan, Banqiao Branch (台灣銀行板橋分行),

Donations can be sent through the post office or banks, and under the column titled "Purpose of Donation" (捐款用途), write in Chinese 1071216石碇車禍案 (1071216 Shiding Car Accident). The Social Welfare Department said that to receive a receipt, fill out a remittance receipt form (回傳匯款單) and fax it to 02-89510469 or 02-29666556. Those in New Taipei City can directly dial 1957, 29603456 #5684.