The driver of a cement truck that crushed a villager to death in Hubei province claims he was following instructions, Beijing News reported.

The suspect, identified as Tan, confessed to villagers that someone told him to do it over the phone, and he recorded the conversation as evidence.

Tan is suspected of driving the cement tanker on March 30 that crushed Zhang Ruqiong, a 44-year-old female villager in the Yanduhe township of Hubei. Zhang died at the scene.

The report said the incident took place at a construction site on a highway, and villagers argued Zhang was killed because she had a compensation dispute with the highway construction project group, which allegedly damaged Zhang's house during roadwork.

Zhang's husband told Beijing News he received 850,000 yuan ($137,100) in compensation for his wife's death.

The report said the two companies in charge of the project were not able to be reached on phone. Local public security authorities said the case is still under investigation.