A man in his 60s who drove a truck into Bucheon Jeil Market in Gyeonggi Province, leaving 22 people dead or injured, has been indicted.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Bucheon District Office of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (chief prosecutor Yeo Gyeong-jin) said on the 9th that it indicted a suspect, identified only as A, on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents (fatality) for causing a truck ramming crash at Bucheon Jeil Market in Ojeong-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
A is accused of, on the morning of the 13th, at Bucheon Jeil Market, placing the transmission in drive (D), stepping on the accelerator, and charging 150 meters into the market, killing four people and injuring 18.
Prosecutors said, "Startled that the stopped vehicle was moving, the defendant hurriedly climbed into the vehicle, operated the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, and even mis-shifted the transmission to drive, causing the crash."
Considering that A's detention period ends on the 10th, prosecutors first indicted only the charges related to the three deaths referred by police. They plan to indict on the remaining counts related to the other casualties (one death and 18 injuries).
Prosecutors said, "We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the dashcam footage, the slope at the crash site, and other factors," adding, "We will do our best to sustain the prosecution so that a sentence commensurate with the crime is imposed and will work to protect victims, including by ensuring their right to testify."