A Drunk Driver in His 50s Drives 170km from Sokcho to Wonju... Also Hits a Bus, Receives Probation

Court: "Multiple Drunk Driving Convictions... Heavy Guilt"
"Admits Crime, Harm Is Minor"

A man in his 50s who drove 170 km while intoxicated and collided with a bus was sentenced to a suspended prison term. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] A man in his 50s who drove 170 km from Sokcho, Gangwon Province to Wonju while intoxicated and even collided with a bus was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 4th, the Criminal Division 1 of Chuncheon District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Cheong-mi) announced that Mr. A (52), who was indicted for dangerous driving causing injury under the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act, was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison with a 3-year suspension. In addition, he was ordered to attend 40 hours of lawful driving lectures and perform 120 hours of community service.

Earlier, on June 12 of last year, Mr. A, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.236%, was driving on the highway when he collided with the side of an express bus. As a result, the bus driver sustained injuries requiring two weeks of treatment.

According to the indictment, Mr. A was found to have driven under the influence over a distance of approximately 170 km from Sokcho to Wonju. About a month before the drunk driving incident, he was also charged with causing injuries requiring three weeks of treatment by throwing punches during an argument with others at a bar in Wonju City.

The first trial court stated, "Although he has been punished several times for drunk driving and considering the blood alcohol concentration and driving distance at the time of the crime, the guilt is heavy, but the injuries sustained by the accident victim are minor and the victim does not wish for punishment."

The appellate court also stated the sentencing reasons, saying, "He drove on the highway while heavily intoxicated and caused an accident resulting in personal injury, so the guilt is heavy," but added, "He admitted the crime, and the injuries and traffic accident damages are relatively moderate."