Regarding the accident in which a truck crashed into a flea market event venue in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, resulting in seven casualties, the driver in his 60s has changed his statement once again in court.
Attending the pre-trial detention hearing held at the Pyeongtaek Branch of the Suwon District Court, driver A reportedly stated, "I mistook the brake pedal for the accelerator and misapplied it."
During initial police investigations after the incident, A stated, "I made a mistake and pressed the wrong pedal," but later changed his claim, arguing that "the vehicle suddenly experienced sudden unintended acceleration."
However, facing the crossroads of detention, he has once again changed his story back to the same purport as his initial statement.
At around 11:20 a.m. on September 19, A drove a recycling collection truck into a children's park in Gongdo-eup, Anseong, where the "2026 Anseong Sharing Green Market" was taking place, and suddenly drove toward citizens.
The accident killed a mother in her 40s and her middle school-aged son who were visiting the market, and injured five others, including a woman in her 20s who suffered fractures to both legs.
All seven people killed or injured at the scene were volunteers at the event. Notably, the deceased mother and son had reportedly participated steadily for several years in the sharing event hosted by Anseong City.
Police are continuing their investigation, including requesting a vehicle appraisal from the National Forensic Service, to clarify the exact cause of the accident along with the circumstances behind driver A's shifting statements.
Earlier, at around 10:00 a.m., as A left the detention center at the Pyeongtaek Police Station in Gyeonggi Province to attend the pre-trial detention hearing, he told reporters who asked if he had anything to say to the bereaved families, "I have committed a sin punishable by death."
To questions such as "Do you admit to the charges?" and "Why did you drive the vehicle all the way into the event venue?", he repeatedly answered only, "I am sorry."
Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Lee Eui-seon | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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