Drunk on Alcohol and Drugs, 30s Driver Causes Fatal Wrong-Way Crash, Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Court: "Victim's child who lost parents in accident petitions for severe punishment"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 30s who caused a fatal traffic accident by driving in the wrong direction on the road while under the influence of drugs and alcohol was sentenced to a heavy prison term in the first trial.

On the 19th, Judge Park Sung-gyu of the Criminal Division 4 at Seoul Southern District Court announced that Lee (32), who was indicted for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing death) and the Narcotics Control Act, was sentenced to 5 years in prison and fined 200,000 won.

Lee was tried on charges of driving his passenger car on the Seobu Expressway in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, around 4 a.m. on January 19, crossing the center line and driving in the wrong direction, colliding with an oncoming taxi, and causing the death of the other driver.

It was investigated that Lee purchased methamphetamine worth 200,000 won from a drug dealer and used it inside his car just before driving on the day of the accident.

At the time of drug use, Lee had also consumed alcohol, and his blood alcohol concentration measured after the accident was 0.101%, well above the level for license cancellation.

The taxi driver A (60), who collided with Lee’s car, was injured in the head and other areas, transported to the hospital for treatment, but died two days after the accident.

Lee’s injuries from the accident were reported to be minor. However, the passenger B (32), who was riding in Lee’s car, suffered serious injuries including a fractured lumbar vertebra and perforation of the small intestine.

The court pointed out, "The defendant drove the vehicle in a state where normal driving was difficult after drinking alcohol and using methamphetamine," and "caused a traffic accident by the serious negligence of driving in the wrong direction, resulting in the death of the other vehicle’s driver and serious injuries to the passenger."

It added, "Despite the severity of the crime’s damage, no settlement was reached with the victims," and "considering especially that the victim’s child, who lost a parent in the accident, petitioned for severe punishment," explaining the reasons for the sentencing.

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