'Drug Driving' Rolls-Royce Man Detained "Fear of Evidence Tampering" Victim in Brain Death State

Warrant Issued After Preliminary Hearing
Charged with Injuring Pedestrian While Driving Under Influence of Drugs
Victim Still in Critical Condition

Shin Mo (28), who is accused of hitting a pedestrian while driving a Rolls-Royce under the influence of drugs, was arrested on the 11th. Yoo Chang-hoon, the warrant judge at the Seoul Central District Court, issued the arrest warrant after a pre-arrest detention hearing on the same day, stating, "There is a risk of evidence destruction."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Shin is suspected of driving a Rolls-Royce in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 2nd and hitting a pedestrian, causing serious injuries. The victim, a woman in her 20s identified as B, suffered multiple fractures in both legs and severe injuries to her abdomen and head. Shin, who was arrested at the scene, tested positive for ketamine, a psychotropic substance, in a preliminary drug test. Subsequent analysis by the National Forensic Service detected seven different psychotropic substances. Accordingly, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul applied for an arrest warrant on the 9th, charging Shin with dangerous driving causing injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and drugged driving under the Road Traffic Act.

Shin was detained immediately after the accident but was released the next day, which sparked public criticism. In an interview on the YouTube channel 'Caracula Detective Agency' on the 10th, Shin claimed not to clearly remember the incident but stated that he provided first aid immediately after the accident and denied recent drug use. Public criticism intensified as Shin’s past criminal record was revealed. In 2016, he was sentenced to one year in prison with a three-year probation for using methamphetamine five times.

The victim, B, is still fighting for her life and is currently reported to be in a brain-dead state. It was especially heartbreaking to learn that she had come to Seoul for her studies and was on her way home after a difficult part-time job when the accident occurred. As news of B’s critical condition spread, messages of support and donations for her have been pouring in.