[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] A driver accused of hitting and injuring a child who ran in front of a car while driving in a school zone (children protection area) was sentenced to prison with a suspended sentence.
On the 16th, the Daegu District Court Criminal Division 2 (Chief Judge Lee Gyucheol) announced that it sentenced Mr. A (54), who was indicted the day before on charges of "Violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes" (injury in a children protection area), to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension. Additionally, Mr. A was ordered to complete 40 hours of lawful driving lectures.
Mr. A was indicted for causing a traffic accident around 4:35 p.m. on February 8th in a school zone near an elementary school in Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongbuk. At that time, Mr. A was driving at 33 km/h, exceeding the school zone speed limit of 30 km/h, and failed to properly notice Ms. B (7), who entered the road, hitting her left leg and causing injuries requiring 12 weeks of treatment.
The judge stated, "While driving in the school zone, the defendant exceeded the speed limit and failed to properly observe the child's movements, causing injuries requiring 12 weeks of treatment to the 7-year-old victim. Considering the nature of the negligence, the victim's age, the injury location, and severity, the culpability is not light."
However, the judge added, "Mr. A has no prior criminal record except for a minor fine long ago and admits his fault. Since Ms. B suddenly ran toward Mr. A's vehicle causing the accident, some consideration is given to the circumstances of the accident." The judge further noted, "Mr. A received forgiveness from Ms. B and her legal guardian, and Ms. B's side does not wish for punishment, which was comprehensively taken into account."
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