Former Public Health Center Director Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Failing to Aid After Traffic Accident

Court Sentences Former Public Health Center Director to Four Years in Prison
for Causing Death Without Providing Emergency Aid

Immediately after the accident, the driver fled, leaving the victim on the road. A life that could have been saved ultimately ended at the hospital.

On June 11, Chief Judge Jang Chansu of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 3 sentenced former public health center director A (64), who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents (resulting in death), to four years in prison.

In December of last year, A struck pedestrian B with his car on a road in Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, and fled to a nearby stream without providing any aid. He was suspected of drunk driving after drinking water 31 times at the stream, but related charges were not confirmed.

Although there was a university hospital emergency room near the scene of the accident, B did not receive immediate treatment due to A’s abandonment and eventually died. The court stated, "Although the charge of abandonment resulting in death was not applied, the responsibility is not light," and sentenced A to four years in prison, which is heavier than the prosecution's recommendation of three years.