Taxi Driver Who Blocked Ambulance Saying "I'll Take Responsibility" Sentenced to 2 Years in First Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A taxi driver who blocked an ambulance transporting an emergency patient to the hospital was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

On the 21st, Judge Lee Yoo-young of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 3 sentenced Choi Mo (31), who was charged with special assault, fraud, and obstruction of business, to 2 years in prison.

On June 8th, near Godeok Station on Seoul Subway Line 5 in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Choi was criticized for blocking the ambulance for about 10 minutes, saying "Handle the accident first," after a minor collision with the ambulance. The ambulance was carrying a 79-year-old stage 4 lung cancer patient who was experiencing breathing difficulties. The patient was transferred to another ambulance and taken to the hospital but ultimately passed away around 9 p.m. that day.

Choi was also indicted for intentionally causing an accident against a private ambulance in July 2017. It was investigated that he attempted to obtain settlement money or insurance payments from this accident but failed. Additionally, from 2015 to 2019, while working as a driver for charter buses and company taxis, he is accused of collecting about 20 million won in settlement money and medical expenses by using minor collisions as a reason.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 23rd of last month presided over by Judge Lee, the prosecution demanded a 7-year prison sentence. The prosecution stated, "The defendant initially denied all charges during the first investigation but later submitted a handwritten statement confessing to the crimes. However, in court, he showed an attitude suggesting he was not at fault for some of the offenses. This raises doubts about whether he is truly remorseful."

In his final argument, Choi’s defense attorney said, "There has been some exaggeration and distortion of facts regarding the defendant due to the social issue caused by this accident. The defendant deeply regrets the patient's death and feels sorry for the bereaved family." He added, "The defendant was fully aware that there was an actual patient and did not intentionally act as alleged."

In his final statement, Choi tearfully appealed, "I sincerely apologize to the victims." He continued, "I deeply regret causing the accident by failing to control my emotions and not yielding to an encroaching vehicle, illegally obtaining insurance money. If the court shows leniency and I return to society, I will never work as a driver again and will live honestly with lifelong remorse, with a mindset of being reborn anew."