On the 13th, a truck driver in his 60s who caused a ramming crash at a traditional market in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, killing two people and injuring 19, reportedly claimed, "I have underlying conditions, but they do not affect my driving."
According to Bucheon Ojeong Police Station in Gyeonggi on the day, truck driver A, 67, stated that he has underlying conditions including moyamoya disease, a cerebrovascular disease, and is taking medication, adding, "(The condition) has nothing to do with driving."
He also reportedly said, "I have never been told by a doctor or pharmacist 'do not drive,'" and claimed, "I did not have any severe symptoms (that would prevent me from driving)."
In addition, A was unable to give a consistent account of the situation at the time of the crash and said, "I was not in a state to think straight."
However, it was determined that A did not claim "sudden unintended acceleration" as the cause of the crash during the police investigation. Earlier, fire authorities explained to the effect that A had claimed sudden unintended acceleration right after the crash, but police corrected this as "unconfirmed information."
Earlier, at about 10:54 a.m. on the day, A allegedly drove a 1-ton (t) truck into Jeil Market in Wonjong-dong, Ojeong District, Bucheon, causing a ramming crash that killed two women in their 60s to 70s and injured 19.
Ojeong Police Station plans to seek an arrest warrant for A on charges of death and injury under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents.
Police also believe it is highly likely the crash was caused not by sudden unintended acceleration but by A's pedal misoperation, and plan to conduct further investigation. They will also ask the Korea Road Traffic Authority and the National Forensic Service to analyze the event data recorder (EDR) of the truck to determine the cause.
A police official said, "We cannot disclose the detailed statements of A," adding, "We will determine the exact cause of the crash based on the results of analysis by professional agencies."