Why a Man in His 50s Who Killed an 8-Year-Old Cheerleader on the Way to School Received a Reduced Sentence in the Appeal Trial

Breaking the Prison Sentence with a Fine ... Court "Victim's Parents and Community Petition for Leniency"

A man in his 50s who fatally struck an 8-year-old elementary school girl due to careless driving received a reduced sentence of a fine in the appellate court. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Nah Han-ah] A woman in her 50s who fatally struck an 8-year-old elementary school girl on her way to school due to poor driving skills received a reduced sentence of a fine in the appellate court.

On the 3rd, Chuncheon District Court announced that it overturned the original sentence of 1 year imprisonment with 2 years probation for A (50, female), who was charged with causing death by negligence under the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling and professional negligence resulting in automobile overturning, and sentenced her to a fine of 10 million won in the appellate court.

A was tried for driving a passenger car near an elementary school in Inje-gun at around 8:40 a.m. on July 12 last year, crossing the center line and rushing onto the sidewalk, fatally striking an elementary student B (8) on her way to school.

After the accident, the passenger car overturned, and A’s daughter (10), who was in the car, was also injured.

At the time, A was stopped in a forward gear in a parking lot in front of the elementary school, and when the vehicle started moving, she panicked and pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal, rushing about 100 meters at a speed of 60 km/h.

The court stated, "Considering the circumstances of the accident, the degree of negligence is serious, but since there is no prior criminal record and she appears to have sincerely repented and reflected during a period of contemplation," and added, "Considering that the victim’s parents as well as the local community have petitioned for leniency, the original sentence was heavy and unjust."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.