Man dies after taxi hits couple on Seoul pavement; driver questioned
In short
A man in his 40s died and his wife suffered a head injury after a taxi mounted a pavement near Children's Grand Park in Seoul on October 9, local outlets reported. Police are questioning the driver, a man in his 70s, who reportedly said he had been driving while drowsy.
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A man in his 40s died after a taxi mounted a pavement and struck him and his wife near Children's Grand Park in Seoul's Gwangjin district on October 9, Seoul Shinmun and Maeil Business reported. The wife suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital, but her condition was reportedly not life-threatening. An earlier Yonhap report said the husband had been transported to hospital in cardiac arrest. The two later reports said he subsequently died. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Seoul Shinmun and Maeil Business, the taxi crossed the centre line from the opposite side of the road, struck the couple and hit a shade canopy beside a pedestrian crossing before stopping. The driver, a man in his 70s, and one passenger were reportedly uninjured. Police took the driver in for questioning on suspicion of causing death under the special traffic accident law. The outlets said he told investigators he had been driving while drowsy. [ 2 , 3 ]
Seoul Shinmun and Maeil Business reported that an alcohol test conducted by officers at the scene was negative. Police planned a preliminary drug screening as part of further checks. The reports differ on the collision time: Yonhap placed it at about 22:03 on October 9, while Seoul Shinmun and Maeil said it occurred around 21:00. Yonhap said police and firefighters were investigating the detailed circumstances. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The collision killed one pedestrian and sent another to hospital; reports said the wife's injuries were not life-threatening. Police are investigating the circumstances and planned a drug screening after a negative alcohol test, according to Seoul Shinmun and Maeil Business.
Key facts
- A taxi struck a couple in their 40s on a pavement near Children's Grand Park in Seoul's Gwangjin district on October 9. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The husband was taken to hospital in cardiac arrest and later died, Seoul Shinmun and Maeil Business reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The wife suffered a head injury that was reportedly not life-threatening. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The driver and one taxi passenger were reportedly uninjured. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The driver reportedly told police he had been driving while drowsy. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Reports said the alcohol test was negative and police planned a drug screening. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Reports give different times for the collision. Yonhap gives 22:03 on October 9; Seoul Shinmun and Maeil Business say around 21:00.
- The cause of the collision remains under investigation. The driver reportedly cited drowsiness; police planned further checks, including drug screening.