Driver A, a man in his sixties who caused a ramming crash at a traditional market in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, resulting in 21 casualties, appeared in court on the 15th to undergo a detention review.

A (67), who faces allegations of causing death and injury under the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling, entered the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Court in the afternoon, where a pre-arrest suspect examination (substantive warrant review) was being held. A had handcuffs on, with both hands covered by a shield, and wore a black cap and a white mask.

In response to the question from the press, “Do you acknowledge that you pressed the accelerator instead of the brake?”, A said, “I have very severe moyamoya disease (a cerebrovascular disorder), and for 60 years of my life I sold nothing but fish. I have never slept for more than 4 hours.” He added, “As I took on a lot of debt, I had to pay the interest, so I worked hard and ended up getting sick.”

When asked, “Do you have anything you want to say to the bereaved families of the victims?”, A replied, “My memory comes and goes.”

Earlier, in a police statement, A was reported to have said, “(Moyamoya disease) has nothing to do with driving and causes no impairment in driving.”

The pre-arrest suspect examination for A will proceed from 4 p.m., and a decision on detention is expected later in the afternoon.

A is suspected of causing a ramming crash with a 1-ton truck at Jeil Market in Wonjong-dong, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon, at about 10:54 a.m. on the 13th, killing two people and injuring 19.

According to the police investigation, the truck driven by A reversed 1∼2m just before the crash, then sped for 132m, striking victims and market stalls in succession. At the time of the crash, it was confirmed that A pressed the accelerator, not the brake.