In November last year, a woman in her 20s, referred to as A, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison by the first trial for hitting seven vehicles in a row while driving without a license in Gangnam, Seoul.
On the 29th, Judge Jang Su-jin of the 7th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court said during the first trial sentencing on charges including aggravated injury by escape under the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act and dangerous driving that "all the charges have been found guilty," sentencing A to 3 years and 6 months in prison.
The court stated, "The defendant had no basic knowledge of driving but endangered others' lives by driving under the influence of drugs," adding, "The results of the psychological evaluation indicate that the defendant's judgment was somewhat impaired at the time of the offense. However, it cannot be recognized that it reached a level of mental incompetence beyond that."
It also noted, "A total of 10 people were injured in this accident, and one person was seriously injured to the extent that treatment was needed for 12 weeks," and added, "The victims have not reached an agreement with the defendant and are requesting strict punishment for the defendant."
A is accused of hitting a woman in her 30s pushing a stroller and a 4-year-old child in the stroller while driving without a license in Songpa, Seoul, on November 2 last year, and fleeing the scene. She is also accused of causing an eight-car pileup after hitting six vehicles in Gangnam and colliding with a motorcycle while driving in the wrong direction.
It is reported that A showed no signs of drugs or alcohol during a precise examination at the time of the accident. However, the National Forensic Service reportedly detected a tranquilizer substance contained in psychoactive drugs in the precise appraisal results.
Earlier, during the first trial in January, A claimed mental incompetence due to drug use. A's lawyer acknowledged the charges but stated, "At the time of the accident, A was in a state of mental incompetence (due to drug use) and was unable to make normal judgments," adding, "We will submit a request for a psychological evaluation."