POLICE in Central China’s Hunan Province on Thursday detained the man who ran over and killed 11 people and injured 44 others.

Investigators said the man surnamed Yang intentionally drove his car into a crowd Wednesday evening along a square in Hengdong County, Hengyang City. Nine people died and 46 were injured, including three severely, the Sina Weibo account of the Hengyang government internet information office said Wednesday.

Local police detained Yang and is investigating the case, the office said, saying local authorities are handling the aftermath.

Born in 1964 in Hengdong, Yang was reportedly sentenced several times for robbery and drug abuse, news site bjnews.com.cn reported Thursday, citing initial police findings.

Yang was diagnosed with gastric cancer and coronary heart disease, bjnews.com.cn reported, quoting a verdict against Yang.

The verdict said Yang has been involved in drug dealing, setting fires, racketeering and robbery in the past 26 years. He has been jailed for over 10 years.

(Global Times)