'Drunk Driving and Hit-and-Run' Actor Lee Jaeryong Questioned by Police... "I Was Unaware of the Accident"

Police Apply Widmark Formula to Probe Alcohol Consumption
Denies Allegations of 'Drinking to Manipulate the Numbers'

Actor Lee Jaeryong (62), who is suspected of causing a drunk driving accident and then fleeing the scene, appeared at the police station for questioning on March 10, four days after the incident. While Lee admitted to driving under the influence, it is reported that he partially denied the charge of fleeing the scene after the accident, claiming he was not aware that an accident had occurred.

Actor Lee Jaeryong. The Asia Business Daily DB.

The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul summoned Lee at around 2 p.m. on March 10 as a suspect for drunk driving and failure to take necessary measures after an accident, in violation of the Road Traffic Act. During the approximately four-hour investigation, police focused on questioning Lee about the circumstances under which he left the scene after causing the accident and about the exact amount of alcohol he had consumed.

After finishing the investigation at around 6:16 p.m., Lee appeared before the press and bowed his head, saying, "I sincerely apologize for causing concern with my wrongful actions. I have told the truth and will faithfully comply with all legal procedures." However, when asked why he left the scene immediately after the accident, Lee responded that he "did not realize an accident had occurred" and refrained from providing further details.

On the night of March 6, at around 11 p.m., Lee crashed his car into the median strip near Cheongdam Station on Seoul Subway Line 7 and then left the scene. About three hours later, police apprehended Lee at an acquaintance's house, and his blood alcohol concentration at that time was found to be at the license suspension level.

Initially, Lee denied the charges, but the day after the accident, he admitted through his lawyer that he had consumed four shots of soju before driving. Based on evidence that Lee attended several drinking gatherings on the day of the accident, the police are applying the 'Widmark formula' to calculate his exact blood alcohol concentration at the time of the incident. Lee's side has denied allegations that he engaged in so-called 'drinking to manipulate the numbers,' which refers to consuming more alcohol to interfere with blood alcohol measurements.

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