20s Public Official Driving While Watching YouTube... 2 Family Members Dead, 10-Month Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

A public official in his 20s who caused the deaths of an elderly man and his daughter-in-law while speeding and watching a video has been sentenced to prison again in the appellate court.

The Criminal Division 1 of Chuncheon District Court (Presiding Judge Shim Hyun-geun) on the 1st sentenced A, a man in his mid-20s charged with causing death by violation of the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling, to 10 months in prison, the same as the first trial.

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On the evening of November 15 last year, A was driving a passenger car at an intersection in Hoengseong County, speeding at over 87.5 km/h on a road with a speed limit of 60 km/h, when he hit B (86), who was crossing the crosswalk, and B’s daughter-in-law C (59). B died on the spot, and C was seriously injured and taken to the hospital but died during treatment. The two deceased were on their way home when the accident occurred, and it was confirmed that A was not under the influence of alcohol.

Reviewing the black box footage revealed that A could have clearly seen the victims slowly crossing the crosswalk from six seconds before the accident but neglected to pay attention ahead and maintained a speed of over 87.5 km/h without significantly slowing down. At the time, A was driving while playing a YouTube video related to gaming.

In the first trial, A claimed, "I only listened to the sound of the YouTube video," but the court judged, "Although it is unclear whether he watched the video, it is evident that playing the YouTube video was at least one cause of the defendant’s negligence in paying attention ahead while speeding."

Even considering that the bereaved family, who reached a settlement with the defendant, expressed that they did not want punishment, the court found the negligence too serious and sentenced him to 10 months in prison, ordering his immediate detention in court. Dissatisfied with the first trial’s verdict, A appealed, claiming the sentence was too harsh, submitting letters of apology more than ten times to plead for leniency, while the prosecution requested a harsher sentence, arguing the punishment was too light. The appellate court, after reviewing both sides’ arguments, upheld the original sentence and dismissed both appeals.

Meanwhile, A has been suspended from his position due to this incident, and disciplinary procedures are underway.

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