Driver Arrested in Anseong Truck Crash That Killed and Injured 7; Joint Memorial Altar Set Up

A man wearing a black hat comes out of the police station for his pre-trial detention hearing.

He is a man in his 60s, identified as Mr. A, who caused a truck crash that resulted in seven casualties at a flea market event in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, on September 19.

A mother in her 40s and her teenage son, who were volunteering at the event, fell victim to the tragedy.

[Mr. A]

(Why did you drive the vehicle deep into the park?)

I am sorry.

(Do you have anything to say to the bereaved families?)

I have committed a grave sin worthy of death. I am sorry.

During the initial police investigation, Mr. A stated, "I pressed the wrong pedal," before changing his statement to claim, "The vehicle suddenly accelerated."

In an additional investigation conducted before his appearance in court, he reportedly reversed his statement again, saying, "I tried to brake, but instead stepped on the accelerator."

Mr. A is a fixed-term worker for the Anseong City government, and he reportedly caused the accident while trying to park a city-owned truck near the event venue.

The court issued an arrest warrant for Mr. A, stating, "There are multiple victims, the criminal charges are serious, and there is a risk of flight."

As the funeral for the deceased mother in her 40s and teenage son was solemnly held, Anseong City announced that it would operate a joint memorial altar for three days to mourn the victims.

[Reporter Im Jihyeon]

At the joint memorial altar set up in a park frequently visited by many citizens, mourners continued to visit in an endless stream.

[Kang Hyunjin / Anseong, Gyeonggi Province]

"The mother was also in her 40s, right at a young age. In the prime of her life. The child too. What kind of absurd thing is this to happen suddenly, when they went out to volunteer."

[Lee Chun-hee / President of the Eutteum Volunteer Corps]

"Usually, she was very kind, and the student also studied hard and was a good student, so the people around them had good things to say. They were doing a good deed and then this happened. It is truly so heartbreaking."

Reporting by Im Jihyeon for SBS.

※