Actor Lee Jae-ryong, accused of a hit-and-run, is reported to have attempted the "sultaegi method" 20 minutes after the accident.
according to legal sources, Lee Jae-ryong was driving a vehicle near Cheongdam Station in Gangnam District, Seoul, around 11:03 p.m. on March 6 while intoxicated and crashed into a center divider.
The crash caused significant damage with about 3 million won in repair costs, but Lee Jae-ryong fled the scene without taking any action.
According to reports, Lee Jae-yong reportedly tried to obstruct the alcohol test by drinking additional soju at a restaurant in Sinsa-dong from about 11:23 p.m., 20 minutes after the accident, for about 50 minutes to avoid detection of his drunk driving.
Lee Jae-ryong, who was arrested at an acquaintance's home two hours later, initially denied being intoxicated while driving, but during police questioning he reportedly changed his statement to say he "drank four glasses of soju and thought he only lightly touched the center divider."
The police applied drunk driving charges, judging that Lee Jae-ryong attempted the "sultaegi method" to destroy evidence of drunk driving, but prosecutors dropped that charge, saying his blood alcohol level at the time of the accident was not clearly proven.
Lee Jae-ryong, who has been indicted, will have his first hearing on Oct. 16 at the Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 10, in Seocho District, Seoul.
Separately, Lee Jae-ryong had his license revoked in 2003 on charges of refusing an alcohol test after driving under the influence. Later, in 2019, he was booked on damage to property for damaging a signboard at a bowling alley in Gangnam District, Seoul, while extremely drunk, but the prosecution deferred indictment.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]