Taxi Driver Who Caused Death by Reversing Receives Reduced Sentence in Appeal Trial

On the 22nd, the Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The Supreme Court's Judicial Administration Office recommended a three-week recess starting from this day for courts nationwide due to the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] A taxi driver who fatally struck a man in his 60s while reversing received a reduced sentence in the appellate court.

The Changwon District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Lee Jeong-hyun) announced on the 26th that it overturned the original sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with a 3-year probation and 320 hours of community service for taxi driver A (48), who was tried for violating the Special Act on the Treatment of Traffic Accidents, and instead sentenced him to 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with a 2-year probation and 160 hours of community service.

A struck B (66), who was crossing the road from behind, while reversing at an intersection in Gonyang-myeon, Sacheon-si, Gyeongnam Province on June 7 last year, causing B's death.

The court stated, “The defendant neglected the duty to check behind, causing the victim's death and failed to reach an agreement with the bereaved family. However, considering that he deposited 20 million won for the victim and is showing remorse, the original sentence was deemed excessively harsh and unjust.”

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