Driver in Seoul car crash that killed 9 pedestrians apologises at court hearing
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Emergency workers standing near the site of a car accident which left nine people dead, in Seoul, on July 1.
PHOTO: AFP
SEOUL - The driver behind the fatal car crash that killed nine pedestrians near Seoul City Hall
“I’m very, very sorry to the deceased and bereaved families,” the 68-year-old, surnamed Cha, said as he entered Seoul Central District Court at 10.30am on the morning of July 30.
Cha showed up at the hearing in a cap and mask hiding his face. He was asked several questions by reporters.
There were questions on the sudden unintended acceleration that he claimed was the reason for the crash, as well as on the results of the analysis of his car conducted by the National Forensic Service.
The driver did not answer any of the questions. He repeatedly said only that he was sorry.
The 68-year-old, who had a broken rib and was hospitalised up until July 30’s court hearing, limped to the court.
On July 1, a sedan crashed into pedestrians waiting at a traffic light at an intersection near Exit No. 7 of Seoul’s City Hall Station in Jung-gu, central Seoul. The car was driving in the wrong direction and ended up hitting the pedestrians before colliding with two other vehicles.
Police arrested Cha about one month after the crash following investigations.
He repeatedly claimed that the accident was caused by sudden unintended acceleration, saying his brakes were “stiff” and “did not function properly”.
However, an analysis conducted by the National Forensic Service on Cha’s vehicle on July 11 showed he had stepped on the accelerator at up to 90 per cent of its full capacity and never hit the brakes during the accident. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
