A firefighter who caused a traffic accident while driving under the influence was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.
According to the court on the 4th, the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Jeong In-jae) sentenced firefighter A (57), who was driving a fire truck, to 2 years in prison with a 3-year suspension for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury) and the Road Traffic Act (driving under the influence) on the 23rd of last month.
The court explained the sentencing reason, stating, "People engaged in driving vehicles must especially refrain from drunk driving and have a duty of care in their work to prevent accidents by carefully observing the front and sides and accurately operating the steering and braking devices. However, considering that the defendant has shown remorse, has no prior record of punishment heavier than a fine, and that the victim does not wish for punishment against the defendant."
A is accused of driving a vehicle for about 500 meters in a drunken state on a road in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, at 9:21 a.m. on October 26 last year, crossing lanes and colliding with a bus traveling in the first lane. As a result of the accident, bus driver B (65) suffered injuries to his waist and received a medical diagnosis of three weeks of treatment.
At the time of the accident, A's blood alcohol concentration was 0.302%, indicating a state of extreme intoxication.
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