"I Didn't Know I Hit Anyone": Dashcam Records Warning Sound, Driver Sentenced

▲ Vehicle dashcam (File photo unrelated to the case)

A driver who struck a pedestrian while parking under the influence of alcohol and fled the scene has been given a suspended prison sentence, after claiming in court that they were unaware of the collision—a claim refuted by dashcam audio evidence.

The Jeonju District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Hyun-ji of the 6th Criminal Division, announced on July 10 that it sentenced the defendant, identified as A, to one year and two months in prison, suspended for three years, on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (hit-and-run resulting in injury) and the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving).

On September 6 of last year, at approximately 8:47 p.m., A was reversing a vehicle in an apartment complex in Muju-gun, Jeonbuk Province, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.114 percent, when they struck a pedestrian, B.

Investigations revealed that A left the scene while laughing, despite protests from B, who sustained injuries to their knees and feet.

During the trial, A's legal counsel argued that the victim did not suffer any injuries and that A had no intention to flee, as they were unaware they had hit anyone.

However, the court reviewed the vehicle's dashcam footage, which captured the warning sound that triggers when the vehicle approaches an object.

Furthermore, the footage showed A saying, "That person is ridiculous," as B approached, indicating that A was aware of the person's presence behind the vehicle.

The court determined that the victim's consistent testimony was highly credible as it aligned with the dashcam footage.

The court pointed out that the nature of the crime was serious, noting that A fled after hitting a victim who was attempting to stop them from driving drunk, and then denied the charges with an implausible excuse.

However, the court explained that the sentence took into account that the victim's injuries were relatively minor and that the vehicle was covered by comprehensive insurance, which allowed for compensation to be made.

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