Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Causing Casualties After '17-Second Stop' on Highway in Retaliation

Causing a Three-Vehicle Collision Due to Dissatisfaction with Lane Change

A man in his 40s who stopped his car in front of another vehicle for 17 seconds on the highway out of dissatisfaction with the other vehicle's lane change, causing a fatal accident, was sentenced to five years in prison.

At around 5:10 PM on March 24 last year, a three-vehicle collision near Bukcheonan IC on the Seoul-bound Gyeongbu Expressway resulted in one death and two injuries. [Image source=Cheonan Seobuk Fire Station]

On the 23rd, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division dismissed the appeal of Mr. A (40), who was tried on charges of general traffic obstruction resulting in death and injury, as well as special threats, and upheld the original sentence of five years in prison. Earlier, Mr. A was accused of stopping his passenger car in front of a 1-ton truck on the 5-lane section near Bukcheonan IC on the Seoul-bound Gyeongbu Expressway at around 5:10 p.m. on March 24 last year, causing a three-vehicle collision that resulted in casualties.

At the time, Mr. A was driving in the 4th lane when the 1-ton truck cut in front of his car, which angered him and he overtook the truck and stopped for a full 17 seconds. The truck driver braked urgently to prevent a collision, but three other trucks following behind collided one after another, resulting in one death and two injuries. Mr. A left the scene after the accident but was later arrested. During the police investigation, Mr. A denied the crime, claiming that he stopped because there was an obstacle on the road.

The first trial court sentenced Mr. A to five years in prison. Mr. A claimed in court that "it was not an act done out of anger" and denied intent, but the court explained the sentencing by stating, "Any ordinary person can foresee that sudden stopping on the highway can cause a collision. Mr. A had a prior record of causing a seven-vehicle chain collision and showed no remorse." However, both Mr. A and the prosecution appealed, citing inappropriate sentencing.

The appellate court upheld the first trial's sentence, stating, "Although he confessed to the crime, considering various factors, there is doubt about whether he is truly remorseful." The court also noted, "He made a criminal deposit of 20 million won for the family of the victim who died the day before the verdict and 1 million won for the injured victims, but he was not forgiven by the victims." Mr. A filed a further appeal, but the Supreme Court also dismissed his appeal and confirmed the original ruling.