Arrest warrant issued for truck driver over deadly crash at traditional market

A truck driver, center, in his 60s enters the Incheon District Court to attend an arrest warrant hearing, Saturday, after being accused of causing a deadly crash in a traditional market in Bucheon, a city near Seoul. The accident occurred Thursday when his 1-ton truck plowed through the market's narrow passage, killing two people and injuring 19 others. Yonhap

BUCHEON — A court issued a warrant Saturday to arrest a truck driver in his 60s accused of causing a deadly crash in a traditional market near Seoul that killed two people and injured 19 others.

The Incheon District Court issued the warrant for the man, citing the risk of flight.

The incident occurred at Jeil Market in Bucheon, about 20 kilometers southwest of Seoul, Thursday, as the 67-year-old driver's 1-ton truck plowed through the market's narrow passage. Of the 21 casualties, two are market vendors and the remaining 19 are customers.

The driver is known to have suffered from Moyamoya disease, a rare vascular brain disease.

During police investigation, he reportedly claimed that his ailment has nothing to do with driving and does not interfere with driving at all. But at the arrest warrant hearing, he is believed to have reversed his claim, saying that though he had been on medication for the brain disorder, he had not recently received treatment due to being busy with work at a store.

Police confirmed through the vehicle's pedal dashcam that the driver stepped on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal at the time of the incident.

Police suspect that the crash was likely caused by the driver's misoperation of the pedals, rather than by sudden acceleration.