Taxi Driver Who Blocked Ambulance Reduced Sentence in 2nd Trial... 1 Year 10 Months Imprisonment (Comprehensive)

Appellate Court Sentences 1 Year 10 Months Imprisonment
"Defendant Admits Fault"

Taxi Driver Initially Sentenced to 2 Years

Bereaved Family Says "Don't Know What He Reflected On"

[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.

Previously, the first trial 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 added, "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 while obstructing 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 closing arguments, Choi's defense attorney said, "The defendant has faced difficulties such as being hospitalized in a psychiatric ward since childhood and comes from an unfortunate family background," adding, "While incarcerated 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 was harmed by my wrongdoing. I will pay my dues, 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.

In addition, he is also 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.

The bereaved family of the deceased expressed regret over the appellate court's sentence. The family, tearfully, said, "There is mention of a letter of reflection, but we do not know what he has reflected on." The family's lawyer said, "The police are investigating the causal relationship regarding the death, and if additional charges are filed and a judgment is made, we hope he takes appropriate responsibility for his actions."

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