Man arrested for killing designated driver by dragging him 1.5 km

Yonhap

Police have arrested a man in his 30s on murder charges for allegedly dragging a 60-year-old designated driver behind his car for 1.5 kilometers in Daejeon.

Daejeon Yuseong Police said Thursday that the suspect, identified only as A, was sent to the prosecution in custody.

According to the police, the incident happened on Nov. 14 at around 1:15 a.m. The suspect, who was reportedly intoxicated, forced the driver, identified as B, out of the driver's seat and outside of the car with the door open while the vehicle was moving and continued driving for about 1.5 kilometers.

The car eventually struck a roadside guardrail, and B, partially restrained by his seatbelt, suffered severe head injuries. He was transported to a hospital in an unconscious state but later died.

CCTV footage showed the car traveling with the driver's door open, leading officers to arrest A at the scene. Police said his blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit. He had been drinking with colleagues and was on his way to Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Audio from the vehicle’s dashcam reportedly captured sounds of A striking B.

Police said the suspect claimed during questioning that he could not recall the incident due to intoxication.

Ahn Seo-hyeon is a Korea Times intern.