Driver Drags Bystander 3 Meters While Fleeing After DUI Crash

A man in his 40s who drove drunk and without a license at night, hit another vehicle, and injured a person attempting to stop his escape has been sentenced to prison in his appellate trial as well.

The Changwon District Court Criminal Division 3-1 announced that it has dismissed the prosecution's appeal against a man in his 40s, surnamed A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes, and upheld the original verdict sentencing him to 1 year and 3 months in prison.

A was indicted on charges of driving a passenger car under the influence of alcohol near the back gate of an elementary school in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, at 9:29 p.m. on April 17, crashing into cars parked on the side of the road, and fleeing.

At the time, the son of the victim vehicle's owner, a teenager identified as B, who witnessed the accident scene, grabbed the door handle of A's car to stop him, but A did not halt the vehicle.

Ultimately dragged for 2 to 3 meters, B sustained injuries to his elbows and other areas.

Investigations showed that during his flight, A also damaged another vehicle that pursued him and unjustifiably refused a police officer's request for a breathalyzer test.

The first-instance court stated, "Considering that he was actually under the influence of alcohol at the time and there was a risk that it could have led to a major casualty accident, his criminal culpability is very heavy, and he has been punished 9 times for similar offenses, including 2 instances of hit-and-run driving," thereby sentencing him to 1 year and 3 months in prison.

However, the court did not confiscate the passenger car A drove at the time of the crime.

Subsequently, the prosecution appealed on the grounds that the sentence was unfairly lenient and that the passenger car should be confiscated.

The appellate court stated, "The original court's judgment is justified in that even if the passenger car is confiscated, it cannot prevent A from acquiring a new car or driving someone else's car, making it difficult to view it as a way to prevent recidivism. Considering factors such as A reaching a settlement with B's side, the sentence cannot be seen as too lenient either."

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