Since yesterday, Weibo has been flooded with claims that actress Jin Chen was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident, with screenshots of reports and CCTV narratives circulating online. After staying silent for over 24 hours, she issued a statement today, alongside an official police notice.
The alleged incident dates back to March 16, 2025, in Keqiao, Shaoxing (Zhejiang). Public debate mainly focuses on two questions: whether leaving the scene amounts to “hit-and-run,” and whether someone else (an assistant) falsely claimed to be the driver. Jin Chen said the crash happened while avoiding an animal, she was injured and taken to the hospital immediately, and her assistant—panicking—told police he was driving. She also said she later chose to take responsibility and cover the losses personally rather than proceed with insurance. Police indicated there was no insurance fraud, but the matter is still under review.
Online backlash has already impacted brand sentiment, with some partnerships reportedly turning cautious. Ultimately, reputational damage control will depend on the final legal determination, not social-media storytelling.
