"6-Year-Old Nephew Dies in Cargo Truck Load Accident... Call for Strict Punishment of Driver" Cheong Petition

At around 3:50 PM on the 14th, a large metal coil loaded on a 25-ton truck fell at the 21 km mark of the Suritunnel on the Dangjin-Yeongdeok Expressway in the direction of Yeongdeok, Boeun-gun, Chungbuk, and struck a van carrying a family.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] A Blue House petition demanding strict punishment for the truck driver has emerged in connection with an accident where a 13-ton large metal coil fell from a truck driving on the highway and struck a van carrying a family of four, resulting in the death of an elementary school student.

On the 17th, a post titled "Please help our nephew who unfairly passed away due to the cargo falling accident on the Dangjin-Yeongdeok Expressway" was uploaded on the Blue House petition board.

The petitioner, who identified herself as the aunt of the deceased elementary student, said, "Due to the traffic jam caused by the first accident ahead, our vehicle was stopped when we suffered a second accident like a bolt from the blue. The very beautiful child, who turned 6 years old and became a first grader this year, passed away without even closing her eyes at such an unreasonable age. My sister has multiple fractures in her spine and ribs and is facing major surgery," she began.

She continued, "Our family is going through unbelievable times, watching the child's father collapse in tears. We cannot bring ourselves to tell my sister, who is about to undergo major surgery, about the child's death, so we are lying that she is receiving good treatment," she appealed.

The petitioner added, "In this situation, the perpetrator reportedly told the highway patrol that he was drowsy while driving, but during the police investigation, the statement about drowsy driving was omitted. Please pay attention so that our child can pass without any injustice. Help us ensure that the perpetrator, who has not even apologized yet, gives truthful testimony and takes strict responsibility," she requested.

She also said, "Please strengthen related laws so that such accidents never happen again and no more victims like my nephew occur. We ask the Boeun Police Station and related agencies to conduct a thorough investigation," she added.

Earlier, at around 3:50 p.m. on the 14th, at the 21 km point of the Suritunnel in the Yeongdeok direction on the Dangjin-Yeongdeok Expressway in Boeun-gun, Chungbuk, a hot coil (steel sheet used in automobiles, home appliances, construction, etc.) loaded on a 25-ton truck fell and struck a vehicle carrying a family. As a result of the accident, A (8), who was in the back seat, died, and A's mother, who was in the driver's seat, was seriously injured. The other two family members were reportedly not seriously hurt.

At the time of the accident, it is understood that the hot coil fell while the truck was changing lanes from the second lane to the first lane.

The police have booked the truck driver in his 60s on charges of failing to drive safely under the Road Traffic Act and are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident, including whether appropriate measures were taken to prevent the cargo from falling.

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