Li Yi, a local official in north China's Shanxi Province, has been charged with traffic offenses that caused the death of the top provincial political adviser Jin Yinhuan, according to a report released on Friday by the provincial discipline inspection committee.

The accident occurred at about 1:40 p.m. on Oct. 11, when Jin, chairwoman of the provincial political consultative committee, together with her secretary and driver, was on the expressway between Xinzhou and the capital city Taiyuan.

Jin's vehicle was hit from behind by a car driven by Li, vice chairman of the political consultative committee of Xinzhou City.

The 56-year old Jin and her secretary were severely injured and later died in the hospital. The driver was also injured but survived.

Local police detained Li after the accident, and he was later charged with traffic offenses.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2008)