Police apprehend driver of fatal van crash on island off Jeju

This photo provided by a reader, Monday, shows the wreckage of a van that rammed into a sign post on Udo Island of the southern island province of Jeju. Yonhap

JEJU — Police have detained the driver of a fatal van accident this week that killed three people and injured many more on a tourist island off the southern island of Jeju, officials said Tuesday.

The 62-year-old was taken into custody Monday hours after the rental vehicle plowed into pedestrians on Udo Island before ramming into a sign post, according to the Jeju Dongbu Police Station.

A 60-something woman inside the car and two pedestrians — a man in his 70s and another man in his 60s — were killed, while 10 people, including the driver, suffered minor to serious injuries.

According to witness accounts, the vehicle suddenly accelerated shortly after it disembarked from a ferry and traveled about 150 meters before slamming into the sign post.

Police detained the driver on charges of causing the accident. They have determined the 62-year-old was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The driver has reportedly blamed sudden unintended acceleration for the accident's cause.

A police official said they plan to investigate the exact cause of the accident, considering the driver's claim.