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

A driver who hit a pedestrian while parking under the influence of alcohol and fled the scene has been given a suspended prison sentence, after the court rejected the claim that they were unaware of the collision, citing evidence including dashcam audio.

Judge Kim Hyun-ji of the Jeonju District Court, Criminal Division 6, announced on July 10 that the defendant, identified as A, was sentenced 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).

A is accused of hitting a pedestrian, B, while reversing a vehicle in an apartment complex in Muju-gun, Jeonbuk, at approximately 8:47 p.m. on September 6 of last year, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.114 percent.

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

During the trial, the attorney argued that the victim did not suffer any injuries and that the defendant had no intent to flee, as they were unaware that they had hit anyone.

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

Furthermore, the footage captured A saying, "That person is ridiculous," as B approached, indicating that the defendant 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 the drunk driving, 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, allowing for compensation to be made.
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