Hit-and-Run Driver Who Struck an Elderly Man in His 80s Appealed Claiming 'the Sentence Is Too Heavy,' but···Second Trial Also Imposes 8 Months in Prison

Struck an Elderly Man in His 80s and Fled Without Aid···Filed an Appeal Against the First-Trial Sentence of 8 Months in Prison
Appellate Trial "Victim's Side Refused to Accept the Deposit···No New Sentencing Conditions Favorable to the Defendant"

A case has emerged in which a man who struck an elderly pedestrian in his 80s crossing the road with his car and fled was sentenced to the same prison term as in the first trial in the appellate trial, despite making an additional deposit.

The Chuncheon District Court's 1-2 Criminal Division on the 15th of last month dismissed the appeal of A, in his 60s, who had been indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (fleeing after causing injury), and sentenced him to 8 months in prison, the same as in the first trial.

A was accused of striking victim B, who was crossing the road, while driving on a road in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Province, in 2024, and fleeing the accident scene without any aid measures. As a result of this accident, B suffered serious injuries requiring 12 weeks of treatment, including spinal damage.

During the trial, the bereaved family pleaded for severe punishment, stating that B, who was bedridden due to the accident, suffered a chain of health deterioration and prolonged pain before ultimately passing away after about a year.

Earlier, the first-trial court sentenced him to 8 months in prison, stating, "The defendant fled even though he clearly recognized that he had inflicted serious injury on the victim, so the nature of the offense is poor."

A's side appealed, claiming the sentence was too heavy, but the court's judgment did not change. The appellate court panel stated, "The defendant paid an additional deposit at this trial, but the victim's side is refusing to accept it," and "no new circumstances warranting a reduction of the sentence for the defendant have been confirmed since the original sentencing."

Attorney Han Min-young of Daeryun LLC, who represented B's side, explained, "For an elderly victim, an injury from a hit-and-run accident is a matter that can lead to fatal consequences such as a chain of health deterioration," adding, "Despite A's deposit, by actively conveying to the court the severe pain B's side suffered and their firm will for severe punishment, we were able to maintain the prison sentence."

[Read the full article]
Hit-and-Run Driver Who Struck an Elderly Man in His 80s Appealed Claiming 'the Sentence Is Too Heavy,' but···Second Trial Also Imposes 8 Months in Prison (Go)