Daejeon School Zone Drunk Driving Accident: Initially Said "Half a Bottle," Then Changed Statement to "One Bottle"

Former Civil Servant, Drunk Driver in His 60s Recants Statement

Former public official A (66), who is accused of causing the death of 9-year-old Bae Seung-ah and injuring three children in a drunk driving traffic accident in a school zone in Daejeon, was confirmed to have consumed more than one bottle of soju, contrary to his initial statement.

The Daejeon Police Agency announced on the 11th that "during the investigation conducted on the 9th, the day after the accident, when the driver was summoned, A stated that he drank one bottle of soju at the time."

A man in his 60s, identified as Mr. A, who is accused of hitting and killing an elementary school student while driving under the influence in a school zone in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, is being transported by a police vehicle on the afternoon of the 10th to Dunsan Police Station for a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Previously, on the day of the accident, the 8th, A had told the police, "I did not realize I hit the children. I have no memory," and claimed to have drunk about half a bottle of soju.

According to the investigation, at around 12:30 PM that day, A drank one bottle of soju at a gathering with acquaintances in the cafeteria of a senior welfare center in Taepyeong-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, and left the place early.

There were nine people at the drinking party, including A, all estimated to be in their late 60s. It was also found that they consumed a total of 13 to 14 bottles of beer and soju during the gathering.

Among them were former public officials like A.

At around 2 PM that day, A left the cafeteria early, got behind the wheel in a heavily intoxicated state, and drove about 5.3 km to his home in Dunsan-dong, causing the accident about 20 minutes later.

The police summoned the restaurant owner and two acquaintances who were at the drinking party to confirm these facts.

The police are investigating whether A, who says he does not remember the accident, was aware of the fact that he caused harm, and are considering whether to apply additional charges. Furthermore, they plan to look into charges of aiding and abetting drunk driving against the acquaintances who drank with A.