A truck driver who fatally struck Professor Joo, a renowned thoracic specialist at Asan Medical Center, was sentenced to a prison term with a two-year suspension.
Judge Jo Ah-ram of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 7 handed down a one-year prison sentence with a two-year probation to Yoo (69), who was charged with violating the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling (causing death), on the afternoon of the 9th.
On June 16 of last year, around 1:20 p.m., Yoo was making a right turn at an intersection in Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, when he collided with Professor Joo, who was crossing the crosswalk on a bicycle. Professor Joo, who was seriously injured in the accident, was immediately taken to the hospital but ultimately passed away.
During the trial, Yoo’s side argued for acquittal, claiming, "I did not see the bicycle (that the victim was riding), and even if I had seen it, I could not have anticipated that the bicycle would illegally enter the crosswalk."
However, the court ruled, "According to the evidence, the defendant’s truck was waiting at a red light when the victim’s bicycle proceeded, and if the defendant had looked to the right, it appears he could have seen the bicycle."
The court further explained the sentencing rationale: "The defendant’s dump truck has a high body and is prone to blind spots during turns, and given the potential severity of accidents involving such vehicles, the defendant had a duty to pay closer attention to the front and sides. The accident could have been prevented by stopping temporarily before the crosswalk. Therefore, the incident occurred due to the defendant’s negligence."
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