The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Spain embassy vehicle in hit-and-run rampage

By 이종민

Published : May 16, 2011 - 18:59

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A Spanish diplomatic vehicle was involved in a two-kilometer, multiple-hit-and-run rampage in Itaewon, Seoul, injuring three police officers, police said Sunday.

According to the National Police Agency, the husband of a Spanish Embassy official was driving a black Veracruz, a private vehicle registered under the embassy, when he hit a guard post, a patrol car and five civilian vehicles.

The man, identified by his first initial C, was reportedly screaming and causing a scene in front of the Spanish Embassy before the incidents, which embassy officials notified to the police.

The 42-year-old man then drove his vehicle into a parked civilian vehicle and a sentry post at the Iranian Residence at about 12:30 p.m., shattering the glass. A guard at the post was injured by some of the shards.

The man then reversed down an alleyway at 60 kilometers per hour, smashing into a patrol car responding to the scene and pushing it nearly 15 meters. The two officers in the vehicle were left with bruises.

C continued another 1.2 kilometers down Itaewon Culture Street, sideswiping four other vehicles in transit on the other side of the road. He then got out of his vehicle and ran on foot to the Hamilton Hotel, some 300 meters away before being apprehended by two officers in front of the hotel.

After further investigation, police found the man was not under the influence of alcohol.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)