'Incheon School Zone Death' Cargo Truck Driver Released... "Bereaved Family Does Not Want Punishment"

Court: "Mr. A to Pay Settlement to Victim Child"

Cargo truck driver A, who fatally struck an elementary school student in a school zone in front of an elementary school in Incheon, is entering the Incheon District Court in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, in March to attend a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing).
(Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] A man in his 60s who was driving a cargo truck at an intersection within a school zone in Incheon and fatally struck an elementary school student has been sentenced to a suspended prison term and released.

On the 5th, the Criminal Division 15 of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Gyuhun) sentenced cargo truck driver A (65), who was indicted for causing death in a school zone under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, to three years in prison with a four-year suspension. Previously, the prosecution had demanded a seven-year prison sentence last month.

A was arrested and indicted on charges of fatally hitting B (10), an elementary school student who was crossing alone at a crosswalk in front of an elementary school in Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, around 1:50 p.m. on March 18 this year, with a 25-ton cargo truck.

B was found under the cargo truck immediately after the accident without breathing or pulse and was transported to a nearby hospital by the 119 emergency medical team but ultimately passed away.

It was investigated that A violated the Road Traffic Act provision requiring drivers to "drive slowly along the right edge of the road and make a right turn" by illegally making a right turn from the second lane, which is a straight lane, among the three lanes in one direction.

According to a detailed analysis by the Road Traffic Authority, A did not violate the speed limit or traffic signals at the time of the accident. Police investigation confirmed that the speed limit in the school zone was 50 km/h, unlike the usual school zones where the speed limit is 30 km/h or less.

The court stated, "the accident resulted in the tragic death of the victim, and the negligence is by no means light," but also "A paid a settlement to the victim's family, and considering that the bereaved family does not wish for A to be punished, the court took these factors comprehensively into account."

It added, "A school zone is the minimum space where children must be safely protected. Nevertheless, A failed to fulfill the duty to watch left and right, causing the collision without noticing the child. Since children lack situational judgment and perception abilities, drivers must drive with the possibility in mind that a child may suddenly run onto the crosswalk."

Meanwhile, A pleaded in court, "I was working to make a living when the accident happened," asking for forgiveness. He also claimed innocence, arguing that the deceased child was largely at fault for jaywalking.