Russian hit-run driver in Daegu kicked out of country

By Ko Dong-hwan

Daegu Immigration Office in Dong-gu, Daegu / Capture from Daegu Immigration Office site

A Russian man on a tourist visa will be deported after crashing his unregistered car several times and fleeing the scenes.

The man, 24, bought a 20-year-old Avante sedan for 600,000 won ($560) from an unidentified Russian woman he met via social networking after arriving in South Korea in October. The car was unregistered.

His trail of destruction began when he crashed into a parked car in an emergency lane in Songhyun-dong, Dalseo-gu, in Daegu on March 30. Immediately following the crash, he hit another vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

The Russian fled the scene and drove for about 200 meters before smashing into a motel sign. The motel owner confronted the man and was offered a fake $100 bill before the Russian again fled.

Dalseo police received reports of the incidents and used security camera video to identify the man.

Police raided the Russian's home on April 3 and arrested him over the incidents.

He was taken to the Daegu immigration office on Thursday for deportation.

Police are now looking for the woman who sold the car to the Russian.