Driver Who Hit Bridge and Disappeared Turns Themselves In Two Days Later, Claims "Not Drunk Driving"

Booked for Failing to Take Post-Accident Measures Under Road Traffic Act
Police to Investigate Whereabouts on Day of Accident

Yonhap News

A driver who caused an accident by hitting a bridge in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and disappeared without taking any action has turned himself in to the police.

On the 24th, Masan Jungbu Police Station announced that they have booked and are investigating a man in his 30s, identified as A, without detention on charges of failing to take post-accident measures under the Road Traffic Act. On the 20th at around 9:30 p.m., A was driving a vehicle on a bridge in Jinbuk-myeon, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon, when he hit the bridge railing. There were no casualties as no one was nearby at the time, but A left the scene with the front of his vehicle damaged.

The police and fire authorities responded to a report early the next morning and searched the accident site for the vehicle left behind. They confirmed there were no signs of damage to the vehicle’s doors and presumed that no one inside was ejected due to the accident. When no traces of A were found under the bridge or nearby, the police checked the vehicle registration and visited A’s home. However, A had not returned home and did not answer calls. He eventually turned himself in to the police on the afternoon of the 22nd, two days after the accident.

During the police investigation, A reportedly claimed, "I caused the accident while trying to avoid an object while driving. I was flustered and headed to a friend’s house," and insisted, "I was not driving under the influence." The police plan to investigate A’s whereabouts on the day of the accident to verify whether he was intoxicated and to consider applying additional charges.