Fled After Causing Motorcycle Accident... Illegal Immigrant Apprehended

Fled the Scene After Injuring the Victim
Changed License Plate Six Hours Before the Accident

An illegal immigrant who caused a wrong-way accident while riding a motorcycle with a changed license plate and then fled the scene has been handed over to the prosecution in custody.

On May 29, the Dongdaemun Police Station in Seoul announced that they have referred a 29-year-old Vietnamese man, identified as A, to the prosecution in custody on charges of hit-and-run resulting in injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, as well as illegal use of license plates, use of illegally obtained license plates, and violation of the Automobile Management Act.

In September 2020, on a road in Dongdaemun District, Seoul, an undocumented foreigner, Mr. A, was riding a motorcycle with changed license plates in the wrong direction, causing a cyclist to brake suddenly and fall. Mr. A was investigated to have left the scene without providing any aid immediately after the accident. Dongdaemun Police Station, Seoul

According to the police, in September 2020, A is accused of driving a motorcycle with another vehicle's license plate, crossing the center line, and driving in the wrong direction on a road in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, which resulted in a non-contact traffic accident before fleeing the scene.

The victim, who was riding a bicycle in the opposite direction at the time, attempted to avoid A by making a sudden stop, fell, and sustained injuries requiring four weeks of medical treatment. However, immediately after the accident, A left the scene without providing any assistance to the victim.

The police identified A by analyzing CCTV footage and tracking his movements. Taking into account the fact that A directly witnessed the victim falling after the accident but still left the scene, they applied the charge of hit-and-run resulting in injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, rather than the lesser offense of causing injury in violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents. During the investigation, it was also confirmed that about six hours prior to the accident, A was seen changing the motorcycle’s license plate to that of another vehicle.

Meanwhile, A was recently apprehended at the Suwon Immigration Office while undergoing the voluntary departure process for illegal immigrants, after it was discovered that he was on a wanted list. He had entered Korea on a student visa but his stay expired in March 2020.

A police official stated, "Providing assistance to the injured is not only a legal obligation but also a social responsibility for drivers in the event of a traffic accident," adding, "We will respond strictly to crimes such as changing license plates or fleeing the scene after an accident."

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