A ruling found that even if there was no direct collision with a vehicle, it is a hit-and-run if a driver leaves without taking protective measures after a pedestrian, startled by the vehicle, falls.
On the 31st, Ulsan District Court Criminal Division 5 single-judge panel Director General Jo Guk-in sentenced driver A, indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (injury by hit-and-run), to a fine of 3 million won.
In Aug. last year in Dong-gu, Ulsan, A was brought to trial on charges of leaving the scene after startling B, who was riding an electric kickboard across a crosswalk, causing B to fall.
A was driving over the speed limit and, despite a red light, tried to turn right without making a temporary stop at the crosswalk, and it was found that A made a sudden stop after belatedly spotting B. Although there was no physical collision, B, startled by the vehicle that stopped abruptly, lost balance on the kickboard and fell to the ground.
Right after the accident, A got out of the car and wiped B's face with a wet tissue, but, judging on their own that there was no serious injury on the surface, left the scene without leaving contact information or transporting B to a hospital. However, B later was diagnosed at a hospital with a rib fracture requiring four weeks of treatment.
The court noted, "The defendant left the scene after deciding alone that it was okay, even though the victim did not clearly express that hospital transport or treatment was unnecessary. The guilt is not light, and the defendant appears not to acknowledge wrongdoing." However, it ruled, "It also took into account that the victim bears responsibility for the occurrence of the accident and that the damage appears likely to be covered by insurance."