On August 24, a viral social media video showed a person wearing a disturbing mask in the front passenger seat of a car traveling on the Changshen Expressway in China. The footage, captured by another driver, showed the masked individual sitting in the first lane while the filming car drove alongside in the second lane. As the two vehicles passed each other, the passenger slowly rolled down the window, intensifying the eerie effect.
Public Reaction:
The video quickly drew widespread attention, with many netizens expressing alarm:
- ”Little Angel” warned, “What if someone gets scared and causes an accident?”
- ”Mei Pi Qi” added, “Even watching it on screen was startling—imagine encountering that while driving!”
Clarification from the Passenger:
An informed source later revealed that the masked man, Hugo (42), a foreign teacher from a school in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, had no intention of frightening anyone. He had found the mask (purchased online in November 2024) in his bag while riding in a friend’s car and put it on casually. The other driver, who filmed the incident, did so ”just for fun.”
Police Investigation & Response:
Authorities confirmed the details and investigated the case:
- Time & Location: The incident occurred around 4:57 PM on August 24 near the Fuyang Longmen Interchange on the G25 Changshen Expressway as Hugo was returning to Hangzhou.
- Duration: The two cars drove side by side for about nine seconds with no verbal exchange or further unusual behavior.
- Aftermath: By 5:27 PM, the vehicle had exited the Hangzhou South toll station, and the mask was no longer being worn.
Though no accident occurred, police deemed the act potentially hazardous and issued Hugo a warning and educational talk. Hugo apologized sincerely, expressed remorse, and received forgiveness from those involved. He also publicly apologized to netizens for causing concern.
Official Reminder from Highway Police:
The Hangzhou Expressway Police urged all drivers to:
✔ Drive responsibly and avoid dangerous or distracting behavior.
✔ Stay calm if witnessing similar incidents.
✔ Prioritize safety and report concerns promptly by calling 12122 (China’s highway emergency hotline).
