Driver Who Caused Death of Jaywalker on 4-Lane Road Fined 10 Million Won

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A driver who was prosecuted for hitting and killing a pedestrian jaywalking on a one-way four-lane road was sentenced to a fine of 10 million won in the first trial.

According to the court on the 4th, Judge Yang Soeun of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 sentenced driver A (51, female), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Treatment of Traffic Accidents (causing death).

Earlier, A was prosecuted for hitting and killing B (66, male), who was jaywalking while driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) on a road in Seocho-gu, Seoul, around 8:50 p.m. on March 25 last year.

At the time, A was driving straight in the second lane of a one-way four-lane road. B, who suffered a severe head injury from the accident, was taken to the hospital and passed away after about 10 days. A also paid the bereaved family a settlement of 50 million won in relation to this.

The prosecution stated, "The driver had a duty of care to prevent the accident by carefully checking the front and sides and accurately operating the steering and braking devices," and prosecuted A.

The court found A guilty. Judge Yang pointed out, "Since the traffic accident caused by the defendant resulted in the irreversible outcome of the victim's death, corresponding punishment is inevitable."

However, the judge added, "The defendant has confessed to the entire crime and admitted the wrongdoing," and "The victim's family has reached a settlement with the defendant and does not want punishment, and the victim's jaywalking at night appears to be the main cause of the accident."

Judge Yang also noted, "Considering that the defendant did not engage in reckless driving or commit a serious fault under the Special Act on the Treatment of Traffic Accidents, and that there is a risk of dismissal from work if sentenced to imprisonment or higher, these sentencing conditions were taken into account."