Truck Crash That Killed Mother and Son: From Pedal Confusion to Sudden Acceleration Claims

Police are focusing their investigative efforts on determining the cause of a truck crash that resulted in seven casualties at a flea market event in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.

The Anseong Police Station has requested an arrest warrant for a man in his 60s, identified as A, who was emergency-arrested on charges of causing death and injury through occupational negligence under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents.

A is suspected of driving a 1-ton truck into the venue of the 2026 Nanum Green Market event at a children's park in Gongdo-eup, Anseong, at around 11:20 a.m. yesterday, killing two people and injuring five others.

It was confirmed that A is a fixed-term worker employed by the Anseong City government, and the vehicle involved is also owned by the city.

According to reports, A initially stated during police questioning right after the accident that he had confused the brake and accelerator pedals, but later abruptly changed his statement to claim that the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own.

No circumstances indicating other traffic violations, such as drunk driving, drug use, or driving without a license, were found in relation to A.

To verify A's claim of sudden unintended acceleration, police plan to send the accident vehicle to the National Forensic Service on the 22nd for a detailed inspection.

Police are also analyzing closed-circuit television footage from around the accident scene and the vehicle's black box recording.

The CCTV footage reportedly captures the truck crossing over a curb bordering the park, suddenly increasing speed, and plunging about 25 meters into the park.

The truck successively struck tables and tents set up at the venue as well as people present before colliding with an iron pillar and coming to a halt.

As a result of the accident, a woman in her 40s, identified as B, who was at the scene for volunteering, and her middle school son, C, were taken to the hospital in a state of traumatic cardiac arrest and later died.

One woman in her 20s suffered severe injuries including fractures in both legs, and four others sustained minor injuries.

Most of the casualties were identified as event personnel, including volunteers.

Police plan to determine the exact cause of the accident by comprehensively reviewing witness statements, video footage, and vehicle analysis results.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.