Drunk DJ Gets 8 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run After Hugging Dog Instead of Helping Victim

The news of that day has passed, but its meaning remains today. "Today's That Day" reads the present through records of the past.

Two years ago, on February 5, 2024, a club DJ in his 20s surnamed Ahn was arrested for killing a delivery driver after striking his motorcycle while driving drunk. Judge Yoon Jae-nam of the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Ahn, who faced charges of causing death through dangerous driving under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, citing flight risk concerns. Public outrage erupted after eyewitness accounts emerged that Ahn had held his pet dog at the scene instead of providing emergency assistance to the victim.

On February 3, 2024, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Ahn struck and killed delivery driver A, a man in his 50s, while driving drunk in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu. Investigation revealed that Ahn had crossed the center line, collided with another vehicle, fled the scene, and then struck A. Ahn's blood alcohol concentration measured 0.221 percent, far exceeding the 0.08 percent threshold for license revocation.

After photos emerged showing Ahn holding his dog at the accident scene, sparking public condemnation, he released a letter from detention through media outlets stating, "I know that no words can wash away the sin I have committed. I will carry the pain I have caused the deceased and the bereaved family in my heart for the rest of my life."

He also wrote, "The dog was barking so much that someone told me to hold it because it was making the scene noisy, so I held the dog," adding, "There is no one who would disregard a human life and only care for a dog."

'Intent to Flee' Recognized

Judge Kim Ji-young of the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 25 subsequently sentenced Ahn to 10 years in prison. The court noted, "The victim of the first accident testified that the defendant got out of the car immediately after the accident and said, 'Do I look like I drank a lot? Please let it go just this once.'" The court added, "He took no action to address the accident and did not report it to police. Despite needing to remain at the scene, he left without explanation. He departed the accident scene without taking measures required by the Road Traffic Act, such as protecting the victim. The court recognizes he had intent to flee."

Ahn appealed, and the appellate court reduced his sentence to 8 years. The court stated, "Ahn drove extremely dangerously while heavily intoxicated, standing in the middle of the road for a long time and speeding before causing the accident. Despite being so drunk that he could not even recognize how he caused the accident, he denied the crime with incomprehensible claims." However, the court added, "Considering that he reached an additional settlement with the victim during the appeal, the first-instance sentence is somewhat heavy."

Ahn filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, which was rejected, finalizing his 8-year prison sentence. The Mercedes-Benz vehicle he was driving at the time of the accident was confiscated.