Woman in Her 20s Who Caused Fatal Crash While Drunk at 104km/h Receives Increased Sentence of 5 Years on Appeal

Violation of Red Light and Collision in 50 km/h Zone
Appeals Filed by Both Prosecution and Defendant
Court Overturns Original Ruling, Raises Sentence

A woman in her 20s who caused a fatal accident by running a red light while driving at more than twice the speed limit in a drunken state has received a heavier sentence in her appeal compared to her first trial.

According to the legal community on September 12, the 1-3 Criminal Division of Chuncheon District Court (Presiding Judge Heo Ilseung) overturned the original sentence of four years in prison for Ms. A (24), who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Dangerous Driving Resulting in Death) and the Road Traffic Act (Drunk Driving), and sentenced her to five years in prison.

Ms. A was referred to trial on charges of driving a passenger car under the influence of alcohol and crashing into another passenger car at an intersection in Danggu-dong, Wonju, at around 1:22 a.m. on October 27 last year, resulting in the death of the other driver, Mr. B (31).

At the time of the accident, Ms. A had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.131%, which is high enough for her license to be revoked, and she sped at approximately 104 km/h on a road with a speed limit of 50 km/h.

Ms. A ran through a red light and, while driving straight ahead, struck the passenger side of Mr. B's vehicle, which was entering the intersection from the left. Due to the impact, Mr. B's car collided a second time with a traffic light pole, and Mr. B was transported to the hospital but died the following day due to brain injuries.

The Wonju branch of Chuncheon District Court, which handled the first trial, stated, "A grave result occurred with the death of the victim," and sentenced Ms. A to four years in prison. However, both the prosecution and Ms. A appealed, citing the sentencing as unjust. The prosecution requested an amendment to the indictment to include "the speed limit (50 km/h) of the accident section," which was approved, and based on this, the appellate court overturned the original sentencing and imposed a new sentence.

The appellate court stated, "The young age of the victim, 31, who lost his life, led the bereaved family to petition for a severe punishment. However, sentencing took into consideration the defendant's admission of wrongdoing, her genuine remorse, and the fact that comprehensive automobile insurance coverage enabled the bereaved family to receive an insurance payout."

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