The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Criticism mounts over DJ's deadly drunk-driving

By Yoon Min-sik

Published : Feb. 7, 2024 - 13:11

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The suspect of last Saturday's deadly drunk driving accident arrives at the Seoul Central District Court to attend the hearing for her arrest warrant on Monday. (Yonhap) The suspect of last Saturday's deadly drunk driving accident arrives at the Seoul Central District Court to attend the hearing for her arrest warrant on Monday. (Yonhap)

South Koreans across the country have been angered by the news that a drunk-driving DJ who hit and killed a motorcyclist did nothing to help the victim a the time of the accident.

The 20-something DJ surnamed Ahn is accused of hitting a 54-year-old delivery man on a motorcycle with her vehicle last Saturday while driving under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested Monday on suspicion of death due to dangerous driving. A police investigation found that Ahn's car moved for 100 meters after hitting the victim, leading officials to suspect reckless driving on her part.

The offense she is accused of is for people who killed someone by drunk driving. A conviction can be punished by up to life in prison.

But while the case is still under investigation, the court of public opinion has been lambasting her actions at the time of the accident. Testimony by eyewitnesses revealed that she just sat in the car holding her dog, refusing to comply with police who attempted to test her for drunk driving.

Police said that it was investigating to decide whether or not to seek a charge of obstruction of official duties.

An eyewitness surnamed Bae told local media that she appeared not to comprehend the situation at all, and "just sat blinking her eyes while holding a dog."

He said the suspect's car moved about 100 meters after hitting the victim's motorcycle.

Another eyewitness, while showing a photo taken at the scene of the accident to prove they were there, said the DJ refused to cooperate with police and argued with officers who tried to separate her from her dog.

Ahn tested negative for drugs in a reagent test, but the police have requested a comprehensive lab-based drug analysis of hair samples to the National Forensic Service.

Details of the suspect were withheld by authorities, but local YouTubers have revealed the personal information of the DJ they believe to be the suspect, including her full name and face.

The DJ switched the settings on her social media accounts to private afterwards, hours before attending the court hearing for her arrest warrant.