[Herald DB]
[Herald DB]

A taxi driver in his 70s who crossed the center line and caused a crash that killed a Japanese infant passenger has received a suspended prison sentence.

Seoul Western District Court Judge Kim Hyeong-seok on June 11 sentenced the man, identified only as A, to two years in prison suspended for three years on charges of causing death and injury under the Special Act on Traffic Accident Processing. The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of community service and attend 40 hours of safe-driving lectures.

A is accused of crossing the center line while driving his taxi on a road in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, last October and colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

A Japanese couple in their 20s riding in the taxi suffered serious injuries requiring 10 and 12 weeks of treatment, respectively. Their 9-month-old daughter lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital, where she died about a month later.

Investigators found that A had been driving at nearly 100 kilometers per hour on a road with a 50 kph speed limit and, while attempting to slow down, pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.

The court said the offense was serious, noting that A had exceeded the speed limit, crossed the center line, caused a collision and brought about a passenger's death. However, it took into account that the bereaved family and other victims did not seek punishment, that A admitted wrongdoing and showed remorse, and that he had no prior criminal record.


choigo@heraldcorp.com