A city bus in Sejong City collided with an SUV ahead of it and continued driving for 150 meters despite passenger protests.
Last month, while waiting at a traffic light at an intersection, the bus crashed into the SUV and, despite the impact, pushed the vehicle forward and fled the scene. The bus driver has been charged with hit-and-run by the police.
Captured on a black box camera, the accident shows a city bus not slowing down as it crashed into the vehicle stopped at a red light among other cars at the intersection.
The impact shattered the rear window of the SUV, with such force that the black box camera fell off. More shockingly, the bus did not stop after the collision and continued to push the SUV further into the intersection.
Strong Impact
The SUV driver reported, "Glass shards flew, and I hit my face hard against the steering wheel, causing blood to come from my lip," adding, "Fortunately, it was a big vehicle; otherwise, it could have led to a more serious accident."
Bus Driver Claims "Did Not Know About the Accident" Amid Hit-and-Run Charges
The SUV driver managed to turn and escape onto the road, creating a frightening situation where a pedestrian crossing at the time was startled and hurriedly left the crosswalk.
The involved bus left the site without stopping. At the time, there were three passengers on the bus, and despite their screams and protests, the bus only came to a halt after traveling approximately 150 more meters.
A bus company official explained, "Passengers requested to get off and seemed to have protested after the bus kept going despite the collision."
The 60-year-old bus driver claimed in a police investigation that he "did not know an accident had occurred," but police officials countered, stating, "Considering the circumstances and situation at the time, that does not seem to be the case."
The police investigation confirmed that the bus driver was neither under the influence of alcohol or drugs nor drowsy while driving. The SUV driver was diagnosed with a concussion and given a three-week treatment period at the hospital.
The police plan to transfer the bus driver to prosecutors for charges related to the Violent Crimes Act (hit-and-run).
Image source: KBS News, illustrative photo to aid understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank.
