Driver in Anseong market crash that killed 2 says 'I deserve to die for what I've done'

A man in his 60s accused of ramming a one-ton truck into a community flea market event in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province — killing two people and injuring five — appeared Monday for a pre-arrest detention warrant hearing.

The driver, identified only as A, left the detention facility at Pyeongtaek Police Station around 10 a.m. that day with his head bowed, wearing a hat and mask, according to Yonhap.

When reporters asked whether he admitted to the charges, A said, "I'm sorry." He gave the same answer when asked why he had changed his account to claim sudden unintended acceleration. When asked if he had anything to say to the bereaved family, he said, "I have committed a sin worthy of death."

A continued to repeat "I'm sorry" before boarding a transport vehicle headed to court.

The Pyeongtaek Branch of Suwon District Court held the detention warrant hearing for A at 11 a.m. Monday on charges of causing death and injury under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents. A ruling was expected later that afternoon.

A is accused of driving a one-ton truck into a community flea market event at Gongdo 10-ho Children's Park in Gongdo-eup, Anseong, at around 11:18 a.m. Saturday, killing a woman in her 40s who was volunteering at the event and her teenage son, and injuring five others.

At the time of the crash, a number of people had gathered at the venue to prepare for the event ahead of its official opening.

Closed-circuit television footage from near the scene reportedly showed the truck suddenly plowing about 25 meters into the park.

The vehicle was owned by the city of Anseong and had been painted with slogans and illustrations promoting recycling.

Immediately after the crash, A told police at the scene that the accident occurred while he was pulling over on a road near the park to unload secondhand goods from the truck for the event. In a subsequent police investigation, he reportedly said the accident happened as he was driving into the park to park the vehicle for promotional purposes.

On the cause of the crash, A initially said he had mistaken the accelerator for the brake, but later changed his account to claim the vehicle had experienced sudden unintended acceleration.

Investigators found that A had not consumed alcohol or drugs at the time.

Police plan to send the truck to the National Forensic Service for a detailed examination to determine the cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, the Anseong Sustainable Development Council, of which the victims were members, issued a statement mourning the deceased and urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified speculation, saying the city of Anseong and relevant authorities were investigating the circumstances and cause of the accident, according to Yonhap.

The council and the Anseong Volunteer Center are operating a public memorial space at Naehyehol Plaza in Anseong from Monday through Wednesday, where citizens may lay flowers and pay their respects at their own discretion, without any formal organized ceremony.

Anseong Mayor Kim Bo-ra earlier visited the funeral home to pay her condolences and offer comfort to the bereaved family. The family was reported to have said, "We cannot send them off like this — it is too unjust," and called on the city of Anseong to clearly state its responsibility and outline measures in response to what they described as a serious accident that threatened public safety.