Death from jaywalking on a 4-lane road... Taxi driver fined 10 million won

The photo is unrelated to the article content. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A taxi driver who fatally struck 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 20th, Judge Yang Soeun of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 recently sentenced taxi driver A (69, male), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling (causing death), to a fine of 10 million won.

Earlier, A was prosecuted on charges of driving a taxi for business on a one-way four-lane road (excluding the central bus lane) in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, around 11:10 p.m. on December 27 last year, when he struck pedestrian B (56, female), who was jaywalking, causing her death. A hit B while she was crossing the crosswalk during a red pedestrian signal, and B was found to have passed away about 50 minutes later.

The prosecution pointed out, "The defendant had a duty of care in business to prevent accidents by carefully checking ahead and to the left and right, and by accurately operating the steering and braking devices. However, he neglected this duty and caused the victim’s death by failing to properly observe the front and sides."

Judge Yang stated, "The traffic accident caused by the defendant resulted in the irreversible outcome of the victim’s death. Appropriate punishment is inevitable," and sentenced A to a fine.

However, the judge also noted, "The defendant confessed to the entire crime and admitted his fault, and has amicably settled with the victim’s bereaved family, who do not wish for punishment against the defendant."

Additionally, "The defendant was driving straight in the third lane of the one-way four-lane road according to the signal, and the victim’s jaywalking appears to be the main cause of the accident. Consideration was also given to the fact that the accident occurred at night and that there was no reckless driving."

Since neither A nor the prosecution appealed, the first trial verdict was finalized as is.