Hit and Run After Striking Citizen Who Tried to Stop Drunk Driving: "I Didn't Know," but the Black Box Knew the Truth

Claimed "I Didn't Know I Hit a Pedestrian"

Black Box Audio Serves as Evidence

A driver who struck a citizen with a vehicle while the citizen was trying to stop him from drunk driving, and then left the scene without providing assistance, has been found guilty based on audio and other evidence from the car's black box and received a suspended prison sentence.

According to Yonhap News on July 10, the Jeonju District Court's 6th Single Criminal Division (Judge Kim Hyunji) sentenced Defendant A, who was indicted for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Hit-and-Run Causing Injury) and the Road Traffic Act (Drunk Driving), to one year and two months in prison, suspended for three years.

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On September 6 of last year at around 8:47 p.m., A was put on trial for reversing his car while intoxicated, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.114%—a level sufficient for license cancellation—in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Muju County, North Jeolla Province, and hitting pedestrian B, who was standing behind the car. Despite B protesting after being struck and sustaining injuries to the knee and foot, A laughed and left the parking lot without concern. B suffered injuries that required two weeks of treatment due to the accident.

During the trial, A argued through his attorney that "the victim did not sustain an injury as defined by the Criminal Act," and even if there was an injury, "the defendant was not aware of having hit the victim, so there was no intent to flee." However, the black box in A's vehicle contained video and audio evidence that contradicted these claims.

The rear footage from the black box, reviewed by the court, showed that the warning sound "beep! beep!" kept going off as the vehicle approached the pedestrian and others. In addition, when B, suspecting drunk driving, approached the car, A made remarks such as "That guy is a funny person" and "What are you doing now," clearly indicating he was aware someone was behind the vehicle, yet he continued to attempt to park.

The court stated, "The victim has consistently testified that 'the defendant, who was driving under the influence, hit me and fled,' which is supported by the black box footage and is credible. Considering the extent of the injuries as shown in the photos taken by the victim, the defendant should have taken appropriate measures, such as providing assistance, after the accident."

Regarding the sentencing, the court explained, "The defendant hit a victim who was trying to stop drunk driving and even fled the scene, yet has shown no remorse and has denied the charges with implausible excuses, which makes the nature of the crime particularly poor. However, given that the victim's injuries were relatively minor and that the defendant's vehicle was covered by comprehensive insurance, so compensation was provided, the sentence has been determined accordingly."

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