Hou Jianjun, a deputy to Liaoning People's Congress -- the province's legislature -- has been discharged from his post, the Standing Committee of the Fushun People's Congress announced on Thursday.

The 43-year-old Hou is accused of running a man down with his car while drunk and fleeing the scene.

In the early morning hours of March 28, Hou allegedly bumped a 55-year-old pedestrian, Qiu Ji, with his car. An argument ensued.

Hou, also general manager of the Fushun Xingye Transportation Corp., then chased Qiu with his car, running him over and killing him near a local shopping center. Hou fled.

Qiu died of a skull fracture at the scene and Hou later gave himself up to the police. Police confirmed that he was drunk at the time of the incident.

The local procuratorate issued a warrant for Hou's arrest on April 1 after reporting to the Standing Committee of the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, a procedure required for the arrest of a provincial legislator.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2005)