Bus Driver Involved in Suwon Station Transfer Center Accident Causing 18 Casualties Receives Probation with Prison Sentence Suspended

Suwon District Court Sentences to 1 Year 5 Months Imprisonment and 3 Years Probation

In December last year, a bus driver in his 50s who caused an accident at Suwon Station Transfer Center, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 17 others, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.

The Suwon District Court Criminal Division 11 (Judge Kim Sujeong) sentenced A (56, female), who was indicted without detention on charges including violation of the Special Act on the Treatment of Traffic Accidents (causing death), to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension. The court also ordered A to perform 240 hours of community service and attend 40 hours of lawful driving lectures.

The scene of the bus accident [Photo by Yonhap News]

A was tried on charges of driving city bus number 30-1, an electric vehicle, at 1:26 p.m. on December 22 last year at the second-floor transfer center of Suwon Station in Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province, where she hit pedestrians in the lane, causing 18 casualties. One female pedestrian in her 70s near the crosswalk was crushed by the bus and died. Additionally, two people suffered serious injuries requiring 16 weeks of treatment, and 15 others sustained minor injuries and received medical care.

At the time of the accident, it was understood that A had briefly stopped at the transfer center platform to assist passengers boarding and alighting and caused the accident while starting to move again. She mistakenly thought the bus was parked at the stop and stood up from the driver's seat to check the fare box, and when the bus started moving, she accidentally pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal.

The prosecution sought a prison term of 1 year and 6 months for A. At the trial held on the 24th of last month, A said, "I have driven buses for a long time, but I never dreamed I would cause such an accident," and added, "I am sorry to the deceased, their bereaved families, and those injured, and I feel I have committed a grave fault."

The first trial court stated, "The defendant, as a city bus driver, was required to exercise a high degree of caution for the safety of citizens, but caused significant harm to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk, showing serious negligence." It pointed out, "Especially, the deceased victim was an elderly woman, and it was difficult even to look at the records to understand the physical pain she endured. Although it may have been a momentary mistake, considering the severe human damage, strict punishment is necessary." The court then explained the reason for the suspended sentence, saying, "However, the defendant sincerely reflects on her fault, has been forgiven by the victims, and resigned from her job as a bus driver due to this incident."