A truck driver who ran a red light and collided with a school bus, injuring 13 people including elementary school students, received a reduced sentence in an appeals court. The decision took into account that most victims expressed a desire not to pursue punishment.
According to Yonhap News, the Jeonju District Court's Criminal Division 3-1, led by Judge Hwang Ji-ae, overturned the original sentence of two years and six months in prison for the 62-year-old driver, identified as A, and instead imposed a sentence of one year and six months in prison, suspended for two years.
A was charged with violating the Special Act on Traffic Accidents after the incident on December 23, 2022, at around 4:30 p.m. at an intersection in Baeksan-myeon, Gimje, North Jeolla Province.
Investigations revealed that A did not apply the brakes before the collision. The school bus was pushed off the road and only came to a stop after hitting a signpost.
The crash resulted in injuries to 13 individuals, including elementary school students and a school safety officer.
The appeals court noted that A's negligence in running the red light was significant. However, it also considered that A had reached settlements with 12 of the 13 victims, most of whom did not wish to see him punished.
The court stated, “While the negligence in running the red light is not minor, the original sentence is deemed excessive given that most victims do not seek punishment against the defendant.”
As a result, A, who was originally sentenced to two years and six months in prison, was able to avoid serving time with the new sentence of one year and six months in prison, suspended for two years.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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