'Sicheong Station Accident' Driver's Wife: "I Learned of Death from News... I'm So Sorry"

"No words to say to the deceased" Repeated Apologies

A, the wife of the driver involved in the traffic accident near Seoul City Hall Station that resulted in a total of 13 casualties on the 1st, apologized to the bereaved families. Regarding criticism that appropriate first aid measures were not taken after the accident, she bowed her head and said, "I was overwhelmed and confused."

On the 2nd, A said in a phone interview with the 'Chosun Ilbo', "I never dreamed such an accident would happen." She mentioned that her husband, Cha (68), the driver of the accident vehicle, is a current bus driver and has never been involved in even a minor collision before.

On the morning of the 2nd, at the Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul, a police tow truck is transporting a vehicle involved in an accident that occurred on the evening of the 1st near the City Hall Station intersection, where it crashed onto the sidewalk and struck pedestrians.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the time of the accident, A and Cha were returning home after attending her older brother’s 70th birthday party at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. It is said that Cha did not drink alcohol at the event.

In response to criticism that no first aid was provided after the accident, she explained, "I was sitting next to him and was so scared that I didn’t understand the situation. I only learned that someone had died after watching the news." She repeatedly apologized to the bereaved families, saying, "I am very sorry, and I have no words to say to the deceased."

The day before the accident, at around 9:27 p.m., A was riding in Cha’s vehicle. About six minutes later, police and fire authorities arrived, and Cha was immediately apprehended at the scene. At that time, Cha complained of pain and was initially transported to the hospital, and A was also taken to the hospital together.

Cha claims sudden unintended acceleration and is not suspected of drunk driving. Whether he was under the influence of drugs or drowsy driving has not yet been confirmed. The police plan to investigate the specific circumstances of the accident based on witness statements while checking Cha’s condition.