Firefighter Referred to Prosecution for Fatally Striking Driver Handling Accident

Two Killed in Gokseong Ambulance Accident:
Police Cite "Failure to Keep Proper Lookout,"
Firefighter Claims "Could Not See Due to Darkness"

A firefighter who struck and killed a driver while responding to a traffic accident in Gokseong, South Jeolla Province, has been referred to the prosecution.

On August 12, the Gokseong Police Station announced that a firefighter in his 40s, identified as A, from the Gokseong Fire Station, has been referred to the prosecution without detention on charges of involuntary manslaughter under the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling.

A is accused of hitting a Carnival driver in his 70s, identified as B, who was handling the aftermath of an initial accident, at around 2:22 a.m. on June 11 on a two-lane one-way road in Gokseong-eup, Gokseong County, while responding to a traffic accident report.

Previously, B had collided with the rear of a tractor while driving, exited his vehicle, and was handling the situation between the first and second lanes. According to the investigation, the 119 ambulance, which was traveling in the second lane, saw the overturned tractor and changed lanes to the first lane, at which point it struck B.

Both B and the tractor driver, identified as C, were transported to the hospital by ambulance but died. During the police investigation, A stated, "I could not see B because it was dark." Police determined that the cause of the accident was A's failure to keep a proper lookout ahead.