Truck Driver Who Caused Death of Elderly Pedestrian Illegally Crossing Two-Lane Road Sentenced to Imprisonment with Suspension

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A small cargo truck driver who hit and killed an elderly man crossing the crosswalk on a red light was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

According to the court on the 17th, Judge Min Suyeon of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 recently sentenced A (55, male), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling (causing death), to 6 months imprisonment (a punishment without forced labor in correctional facilities) with a 2-year suspension. He was also ordered to attend 40 hours of lawful driving lectures.

Earlier, A was brought to trial on charges of hitting and killing an 80-year-old man who was crossing the crosswalk on a pedestrian red light while making a left turn at 30 km/h on a two-lane one-way road in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, on May 7. After colliding with the vehicle, the elderly man fell to the ground and was transported to the hospital for treatment but passed away about 3 hours after the accident occurred.

The prosecution stated, "As a driver, he had a duty of care to carefully check the front and sides to confirm if there were pedestrians crossing and to drive safely to prevent accidents in advance, but he was negligent in this duty," and indicted A.

Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the current Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling stipulates that "a driver who causes death or injury to a person due to occupational negligence or gross negligence in a traffic accident shall be punished by imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 20 million won."

Judge Min pointed out, "A serious result occurred with the victim's death due to the defendant's negligence, and the defendant has a prior record of fines for traffic crimes in 2001 and 2009."

He added, "However, considering the sentencing factors such as the defendant's acknowledgment of wrongdoing and remorse, the victim crossing the crosswalk on a pedestrian red light, and the amicable settlement with the victim's family who are petitioning for leniency," he explained. The fact that A's vehicle was covered by comprehensive automobile insurance was also taken into account.