Teenagers Cause Taxi Driver's Death in Unlicensed Rental Car Accident... Outrage Over Their Behavior in Hospital

Perpetrators Dance and Film Videos in Hospital
Bereaved Family: "We Feel Wronged and Devastated," Demand Severe Punishment

The bereaved family of a taxi driver in his 60s, who died as a result of an unlicensed rental car accident, is expressing outrage at the attitude of the perpetrators, including teenagers who show no remorse.

According to a Yonhap News report on May 16, at around 4:09 a.m. on May 11, a K5 rental car crashed into the central divider on a six-lane road in Tangjeong-myeon, Asan, South Chungcheong Province, causing a fire. Although the fire was extinguished in about ten minutes, part of the metal structure of the central divider, damaged by the impact, fell onto a taxi traveling in the opposite direction, resulting in the death of the taxi driver in his 60s.

Video of the passenger released by the bereaved family. Bereaved family social networking service (SNS)

The K5 sedan involved in the accident was carrying three people, including the driver, identified as A (age 20), and a passenger, identified as B (female, age 17). It has been reported that they sustained injuries to their waists and faces and are receiving treatment at a hospital. Meanwhile, the daughter of the deceased taxi driver, identified as C, expressed her anger and sense of injustice by publicly sharing the actions of perpetrator A and the other passengers on social networking services (SNS).

C stated, "Because of an accident caused by an unlicensed driver, my father suffered a tragic death, and our once happy family was shattered in an instant. I cannot understand why my father, who was diligent and had a spotless driving record, had to die in this accident. It is driving me crazy. I feel so wronged and devastated." She continued, "The perpetrators are making TikTok videos and having fun even though someone has died, and there is no sign of remorse."

The scene of the accident. Asan Fire Station

According to C, the perpetrators posted videos on SNS of themselves dancing in hospital gowns while hospitalized, and even did live broadcasts while eating delivered food. In one video shared by C, a woman presumed to be a passenger, also in a hospital gown, is asked by an acquaintance, "How do you feel after the accident?" and she responds with a laugh, "It feels like crap."

The bereaved family stated, "Unlicensed speeding must be punished severely," and submitted a national petition demanding harsh punishment for the perpetrator and the passengers. Police have booked A on charges of causing death under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents and for unlicensed driving under the Road Traffic Act. It has been reported that A appeared at the police station with his parents for his first investigation. Police are also investigating whether the other passengers were aware that A was driving without a license.