Hyundai Starex's rear wheel axle in question after Ladies' Code's car crash

The death of Kwon Ri-sae, a member of K-pop group Ladies’ Code has sparked fierce controversy over the safety of the Hyundai Grand Starexs’ rear wheel axle.

Kwon, 23 , has died of severe head injuries after a car crash on Sep.7. Her management said she underwent nine hours of brain surgery, but was declared dead after her blood pressure crashed and she went into cardiac arrest.

The van carrying the group crashed into a guard rail on a rainy highway while returning to Seoul from Daegu on Sep. 3. Fellow member Go Eun-bu, 22 died shortly after the accident.

“Around 1.30a.m. with van’s back tires appeared to come off the wheels and axle, causing the vehicle to spin uncontrollably on the wet road and into a guardrail on the highway in Suwon,” Polaris Entertainment said in a public statement.

The police suspect the driver may have been speeding due to the tight schedule of the group. Hyundai said it will clarify the exact cause of the accident after a thorough investigation. The National Forensic Service is also investigating the accident, and the result is expected to be announced this week. Police are questioning the injured driver.

Two other group members were slightly injured, while another fractured her jaw.