Truck Driver 'Not Guilty' for Killing Person Lying on Road at Night

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] A truck driver who fatally struck a pedestrian lying on the road during early morning hours was acquitted.

On the 19th, Judge Ko Chun-soon of the Criminal Division 3 at Cheongju District Court acquitted Mr. A (50), who was charged with violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (hit-and-run causing death).

Mr. A was tried on charges of driving a 5-ton refrigerated truck on a three-lane road with a speed limit of 80 km/h in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju City, around 4 a.m. on December 24, 2019, when he struck Mr. B (53), who was lying on the road, causing multiple injuries that led to his death.

During the police investigation, Mr. A reportedly stated that "there was an impact as if something was run over by the right rear wheel, but I never imagined it was a person."

On the other hand, the prosecution argued that "if proper attention had been paid to the front, Mr. B could have been seen," and charged Mr. A with violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (hit-and-run causing death).

However, the court ruled not guilty, stating that the prosecution's evidence was insufficient to definitively conclude that the accident was caused by Mr. A's negligence.

The court stated, "The accident site is an 80 km/h speed limit road on the outskirts of the city, with no nearby residential or commercial facilities," adding, "Since there is only a guardrail without a sidewalk, it is difficult to foresee the possibility of a person walking or lying there."

Furthermore, the court explained the sentencing rationale by considering that "the deceased Mr. B was lying down wearing all black clothing, and two streetlights near the accident site were broken and turned off."

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