Drunk Driving at 135 km/h in Wrong Direction... Mother Killed While Picking Up Soldier Son

Blood Alcohol Level at 0.136%, Wrong-Way Driving at High Speed
Accident Occurred During License Suspension for Prior DUI
Recently Sentenced to Two Months for Insurance Fraud

The scene where a fatal accident occurred after crashing into a median strip and a passenger car while driving under the influence without a license. Incheon Fire Department

A man in his 20s who caused the deaths of two people while driving a passenger car without a license after drinking was found to have been driving at nearly 135 km/h at the time of the accident.

According to the legal community on August 18, during the first trial presided over by Judge Lee Changkyung of the Incheon District Court Criminal Division 1, prosecutors revealed the specific charges against Mr. A (24), who was indicted for causing death by dangerous driving under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, among other charges.

According to prosecutors, Mr. A was intoxicated and driving in the wrong direction at 135.7 km/h in a zone with a speed limit of 50 km/h. He crashed forcefully into a median strip and a car that was proceeding according to a green signal. Mr. A's attorney, who appeared in court that day, also admitted to the charges related to the indictment.

Mr. A, who appeared in court wearing a prison uniform, answered "Yes" when asked whether he did not remember the circumstances at the time of the accident.

When the defense requested time to reach a settlement with the victims, the court responded, "Given the seriousness of the case, even if we give you time, it may not be meaningful. Does the defendant have the ability to reach a settlement?" The attorney replied, "Although Mr. A's parents are in difficult circumstances, they will do their best."

Mr. A was arrested and indicted on charges of causing the deaths of a passenger in his 20s and Ms. C, a woman in her 60s who was driving the SUV, after crashing into an oncoming SUV while driving under the influence in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, on the morning of May 8. Three other passengers in their 20s, both men and women, who were riding in Mr. A's car, were also injured and received hospital treatment. Among them, Mr. B was also put on trial for abetting drunk driving by handing Mr. A the car keys.

At the scene, police measured Mr. A's blood alcohol concentration at 0.136%, which exceeds the license revocation threshold of 0.08%. He had previously been caught drunk driving and was in a license suspension period, but he drank again and drove without a license. He was also recently sentenced to two months in prison for insurance fraud.

It was found that Ms. C, the driver of the victim's vehicle, was on her way to pick up her soldier son, who was on leave, from a military base when the accident occurred.