70-Year-Old Driver Crashes Into Cafe Window While Under Influence of Sleeping Pills

The Asan Police Station in South Chungcheong Province announced on July 15 that it has booked a 70-year-old individual, identified as A, without detention and is investigating the person on charges of driving under the influence of drugs in violation of the Road Traffic Act, after they drove a vehicle while under the influence of sleeping pills and crashed into a commercial building.

A is accused of driving under the influence of sleeping pills and crashing into a nearby cafe in Gongsu-ri, Baebang-eup, Asan, South Chungcheong Province, at 10:10 p.m. on April 12.

There were no casualties in the accident.

A, who has been taking sleeping pills for 28 years due to chronic insomnia, had been prescribed and taken the medication at a hospital on the afternoon of the accident. It was determined that while attempting to drive to a night shift, A started the car and crashed into the cafe's glass window while reversing.

Police initially suspected drunk driving after observing A's unsteady gait, but the investigation revealed a positive result in a drug test, and police also secured a statement from A confirming the consumption of sleeping pills.

A reportedly admitted to the incident, stating, "I was in a momentarily dazed state while driving," while also claiming, "I did not know that the medication I had been taking consistently under a doctor's prescription was dangerous."

A police official stated, "We had referred the case to the prosecution, but we are currently conducting supplementary investigations following a request for further details regarding the ingredients of the sleeping pills," adding, "We plan to send the case back to the prosecution as soon as the investigation is concluded."


(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.