Gangnam Unlicensed Driver in '8-Car Pileup' Reports Taking Medication for Insomnia

Driving Mother's Vehicle Without a License
Admitted to Several Instances of Unlicensed Driving Before the Accident

A driver in his 20s who caused an eight-vehicle pileup in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul, has been confirmed to have stated that he was taking medication for insomnia.

Kim Bong-sik, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing on the 4th, "The suspect stated that he is taking medication for insomnia and took it on the day of the accident," but added, "We will investigate further regarding the suspect's illness and the prescription of the medication."

Around 1:39 PM on the 2nd, a car driven by a woman in her 20s, Ms. A, collided with seven vehicles in succession on Teheran-ro, heading toward Gangnam Station Exit 12, at the entrance intersection of Kukkiwon in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

Earlier, the driver in his 20s, identified as Mr. A, was booked on suspicion of hitting seven vehicles in succession and driving in the wrong direction at the intersection near the entrance of Kukkiwon in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Teheran-ro heading toward Gangnam Station Exit 12 at around 1:39 p.m. on the 2nd. During police questioning, Mr. A stated that he had taken a sedative while driving.

Regarding the suspect's statement, Commissioner Kim added, "He said he took the medication on the day of the accident, but we will also verify whether he took it with a proper doctor's prescription."

He further explained, "No alcohol was detected, and to accurately determine whether drugged driving was involved, we have requested a detailed analysis from the National Forensic Service."

Regarding suspicions that Mr. A had previously driven without a license, he said, "The suspect admitted to driving without a license several times before this accident," and explained, "The vehicle involved in the accident was owned by his mother, and although he learned to drive at a driving school, it is true that he did not obtain a license."

It was also reported that before causing the eight-vehicle pileup in Gangnam, Mr. A hit a mother pushing a stroller with a child in it on a side street in Geoyeo-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, at around 1 p.m. on the same day and fled the scene.

The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul applied for an arrest warrant on the 3rd for Mr. A, who is suspected of hit-and-run causing injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violations of the Road Traffic Act (driving without a license). Mr. A's pretrial detention hearing will be held at 3:30 p.m. on the 4th at the Seoul Central District Court.