Driver Gets Suspended Sentence Despite Causing Fatal Crash Just a Week After 8-Week Injury Accident

A driver who caused a traffic accident resulting in 8 weeks of medical treatment for the victim, only to cause another fatal crash just a week later, has received a suspended prison sentence.

According to the Tongyeong Branch of the Changwon District Court, Defendant A, who caused the fatal traffic accident, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 3 years.

The court also ordered 160 hours of community service and 40 hours of compliance driving lectures.

In March of last year, Defendant A struck a motorcycle going straight while changing lanes on a road in Tongyeong.

The crash left a victim in their 60s with injuries requiring 8 weeks of treatment.

Just 6 days after that incident, Defendant A caused another traffic accident.

This time, the driver struck a pedestrian in their 50s crossing a crosswalk.

The crosswalk in question is known to be without a traffic light.

During the trial, Defendant A admitted to the charges.

While finding the defendant guilty, the court opted for a suspended sentence instead of prison time.

The court stated, "The victim died as a result of the defendant failing to maintain proper forward attention and failing to see the victim crossing the crosswalk during the day," adding that "Defendant A's negligence was very heavy and the outcome is devastating."

The court further reprimanded the defendant, saying, "Although the defendant caused a traffic accident about a week prior, they committed another offense without reflecting on their actions," and noted that "there is also a past criminal record for the same type of offense."

However, the court explained the reason for suspending the sentence, citing that "the defendant reached a settlement with the bereaved family and that the family does not wish for punishment."

Neither the prosecution nor Defendant A appealed the first-instance ruling, finalizing the verdict.

Reported by Jo Gi-ho | Video by Jeong Yong-hee | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.