YouTuber Known as 'Drunk Driving Hunter' Receives Reduced Sentence on Appeal Despite Fatal Crash During Live Stream

The so-called "drunk driving hunter" YouTuber, who was implicated in a driver's fatal accident while live-streaming a chase of a suspected drunk driver, has received a reduced sentence on appeal.

The Gwangju High Court overturned the lower court's sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison and sentenced 43-year-old surnamed Choi, who was indicted on charges including joint intimidation, to 1 year in prison.

The court explained the reason for the reduction, stating, "Although a prison sentence is warranted as he reoffended despite being aware of the illegality, such as receiving a summary order for a similar crime, considering circumstances such as his belated reflection and reaching a settlement with the bereaved family of the victim during the appeal process, the lower court's sentence appears somewhat heavy."

Choi was brought to trial on charges of providing direct and indirect causes to a fatal traffic accident that occurred around 3:50 a.m. in September 2024 on a road in Sanwol-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, South Jeolla Province.

Choi, who operated the YouTube channel "Damyang Duck" focusing on so-called "drunk driving hunters," reported an SUV driven by a man in his 30s, identified as A, to the police as a suspected drunk driving vehicle and live-streamed the pursuit at the time.

Choi had been producing and posting so-called "righteous education" videos and receiving donations from subscribers.

Two other vehicles driven or boarded by channel subscribers also joined the pursuit. Fleeing from them, A crashed into a parked large cargo truck and died in the ensuing fire.

This accident sparked controversy over private sanctions by YouTubers.

Choi's charges also included confining a driver who had not actually been drinking in 2023 by preventing them from getting out of their vehicle.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Hong Jin-young | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.