Taxi Driver Who Blocked Ambulance Receives Reduced Sentence in Second Trial... Sentenced to 1 Year and 10 Months (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A taxi driver who blocked an ambulance transporting an emergency patient to the hospital and said, "If the patient dies, I will take responsibility," received a reduced sentence in the appellate court.

The Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Appeals Division 3 (Presiding Judge Kim Chun-ho) overturned the original sentence of 2 years imprisonment and sentenced taxi driver Choi Mo (32), who was tried on charges including fraud, special assault, attempted extortion, obstruction of business, and violation of the Special Act on Insurance Fraud, to 1 year and 10 months on the 12th.

In the first trial, the court stated, "The defendant intentionally caused accidents over a long period or pretended to require hospitalization or outpatient treatment, committing various crimes. Considering the crime period and methods, the nature of the crimes is very bad," and ruled, "The act of deliberately causing a collision with a private ambulance carrying an emergency patient, confirming that a patient was on board, and demanding accident settlement to obstruct the transport work is blameworthy given the risk involved."

However, the appellate court's judgment differed. The court said, "Considering that the defendant admitted wrongdoing, reached a settlement with the last remaining victim, and taking into account the defendant's age, circumstances, and post-crime situation, maintaining the original 2-year imprisonment sentence seems unfair."

At the second trial's sentencing hearing, Choi's defense attorney said, "The defendant has faced difficulties such as hospitalization in a psychiatric ward since childhood and comes from an unfortunate family background," adding, "While detained at Dongbu Detention Center, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and endured severe physical and mental suffering, yet he quietly reflects on his situation, considering it all as his punishment." Choi himself said, "I sincerely apologize to everyone who suffered damages due to my mistakes. I will pay for my crimes, deeply reflect, and become a new person."

Choi is accused of deliberately causing a collision with an ambulance on a road in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on June 8 last year and blocking its path for about 10 minutes. At that time, the ambulance was carrying a 79-year-old stage 4 lung cancer patient who was experiencing breathing difficulties. The patient was transferred to the hospital by another ambulance but ultimately passed away.

Additionally, he is accused of receiving about 20 million won in settlement money and medical expenses by causing minor collisions while working as a driver for charter buses and company taxis from 2015 to 2019.

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