30s Driver Causing Fatal Accident with Benz at 148 km/h While Drunk Sentenced to 7 Years in First Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A woman who, while driving under the influence and speeding, struck and killed a worker performing roadwork was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

On the 12th, Judge Park So-yeon of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 7 sentenced Kwon Mo (30), who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing death), to seven years in prison.

Judge Park explained the sentencing, saying, "The victim died in an extremely tragic state, and the wounds and shock suffered by the victim and their family, as well as those they will continue to endure, are significant. The defendant has not received forgiveness from the victim and their family, and has a prior record of fines for drunk driving, making strict punishment unavoidable."

However, the judge stated, "Although dangerous driving causing death is comparable to murder, murder is an intentional crime, whereas causing death by negligence is a crime of negligence," and added, "The defendant is deeply remorseful, and this repentance does not appear to be insincere."

Kwon was indicted for hitting and killing worker A (60), who was dismantling the subway soundproof wall near Ttukseom Station in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, with her Mercedes-Benz passenger car around 2 a.m. on May 24 of this year.

At the time of the accident, Kwon was found to be driving at 148 km/h in a state of severe intoxication with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.188%, exceeding the license cancellation standard (0.08% or higher). It was also confirmed that she had received a summary order of a 4 million won fine for drunk driving in August last year.

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing held in September, the prosecution requested a 12-year prison sentence for Kwon. At that time, Kwon apologized, saying, "I irresponsibly got drunk and committed an act unworthy of a human being. I am very sorry to the bereaved family."

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