A police officer driving under influence of alcohol lost control of his van in Runan County of central China's Henan Province Saturday afternoon, leaving five people dead and three others injured, according to the county's government authorities.

A police officer driving under influence of alcohol lost control of his van in Runan County of central China's Henan Province Saturday afternoon, leaving five people dead and three others injured. [Xinhua]

The accident occurred about 2:40 p.m. Saturday as the police officer ran the van into two traffic poles, resulting in four deaths and four injuries. One injured died after being sent to hospital.

The three other injured were reportedly to be in stable conditions.

The officer, named Wang Yinpeng, was already arrested and would be dealt in accordance with laws, according to authorities.