LANZHOU -- Police in northwest China's Gansu Province have detained a man suspected of killing three pedestrians and injuring another while driving intoxicated on Sunday night.

The traffic police department in Pingliang City confirmed that the man surnamed Qiu is thought to have rammed his car into four pedestrians at around 10 pm on Sunday.

Two of the victims died on the spot. One of the two pedestrians left injured died in hospital after emergency medical treatment failed.

Police found Qiu to be using another license plate to cover the original plate on the vehicle.

Further investigation is ongoing.

Sunday was the start of China's Lunar New Year festivities. Banquets complete with wine and liquor are popular during the week-long holiday.