Teen booked in Siheung for driving unlicensed rental car, fleeing crash
In short
Police in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, booked a 16-year-old high school student on suspicion of driving a rental car without a licence and causing a crash on October 4, then leaving the scene. The car stopped after the damaged vehicle chased it about 500 metres, and officers detained the teenager. Four teenage classmates were in the car; police are investigating how minors obtained the rental car.
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Police in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, booked a 16-year-old high school student on suspicion of driving a rental car without a licence and causing a crash, Siheung Police said on October 6. The student is accused of violating the Road Traffic Act, according to the police statement reported by Yonhap and Kyunghyang Shinmun. [ 1 , 2 ]
According to police, the crash happened around 20:50 on October 4 at an intersection in Siheung, where the teenager was carrying four classmates of the same age. While waiting at a traffic signal, the car reversed and struck the vehicle behind it. The driver left the scene but stopped after the damaged vehicle chased the car for about 500 metres, and was detained by officers who had been called to the scene. [ 1 , 2 ]
Police said those in the damaged vehicle were not seriously injured but were receiving hospital treatment. Officers confirmed the driver was 16 years old, held no driving licence and was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. [ 1 , 2 ]
Investigators plan to question the teenager over the exact circumstances of the crash and whether further charges apply. They also intend to establish whether the four passengers drove the car or took part in the offence, and how the group came to rent a vehicle without a licence, including whether the rental company knew a minor had been given the car. [ 1 , 2 ]
Chosun Ilbo also reported the case, stating that a teenager who drove a rental car without a licence, caused a crash and fled was caught by police. It gave no further details beyond that summary. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The case points to questions about how a rental car reached an unlicensed minor, which police say they will examine along with whether the passengers drove or took part. For local readers it is a road-safety and rental-screening case rather than an event with wider consequences.
Key facts
- Siheung Police booked a 16-year-old high school student on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act over unlicensed driving of a rental car. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The crash occurred around 20:50 on October 4 at an intersection in Siheung, when the car reversed while waiting at a signal and hit the vehicle behind it. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Four classmates of the same age were riding in the car at the time. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The driver left the scene but stopped after the damaged vehicle chased the car about 500 metres, and was detained by police who responded to a report. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Those in the damaged vehicle were not seriously hurt but were receiving hospital treatment, according to police. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Police said the teenager did not have a driving licence and was not under the influence of alcohol at the time. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Police plan to check whether the passengers also drove or took part in the offence, and how they were able to rent a car without a licence. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A 16-year-old high school student was booked for unlicensed driving of a rental car after a crash in Siheung. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The crash happened on October 4 at about 20:50, and the driver fled before being detained. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Police said the teenager was not drunk at the time and that four peers were in the car. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- How the teenagers were able to rent a car without a driver's licence, and whether the rental company knew a minor received the vehicle. Police said they plan to investigate this; the documents give no answer.
- Whether the passengers also drove the car or took part in the offence. Police said this is still to be confirmed; the documents state no finding.
- Whether further charges will be added against the driver. Police said the exact circumstances and possible additional charges are under investigation.
- The exact condition of those in the damaged vehicle. Documents say only that they were not seriously injured but were receiving hospital treatment.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- A rental car driven without a licence reverses into the vehicle behind it while waiting at a signal at an intersection in Siheung, with four teenage passengers aboard. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The driver leaves the scene; the damaged vehicle gives chase for about 500 metres before the car stops and police detain the driver. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yonhap reports that Siheung Police booked the 16-year-old student on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act. [ 1 ]
- Kyunghyang Shinmun publishes its account of the booking and the pending checks on the passengers and the rental. [ 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports that a teenager who drove unlicensed and fled after a crash was caught by police. [ 3 ]