Comedian Lee Hyeok-jae referred to prosecutors on drunk-driving charges after motorcycle collision

Comedian Lee Hyeok-jae, 54, has been referred to prosecutors after allegedly driving drunk and striking a motorcycle.

The Incheon Yeonsu Police Station booked Lee without detention on drunk-driving charges under the Road Traffic Act and recently forwarded the case to the Incheon District Prosecutors Office, according to Yonhap.

Lee is accused of driving under the influence and rear-ending a motorcycle stopped at a red light at an intersection in front of the Korea Coast Guard headquarters in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, at around 10 p.m. on Sept. 8.

His blood alcohol concentration, measured by police at the scene, fell within the license-suspension range — between 0.03 percent and 0.08 percent.

Lee said he had one or two drinks during dinner at a restaurant 300 to 500 meters from his home and caused the accident while driving back, adding that he reported the incident to police himself.

In a phone interview with Yonhap at the time, Lee said he had initially decided not to drink during the meal but ended up having a drink or two. He said the accident occurred while he was driving the short distance home — too close to justify calling a designated driver — when he dropped his phone and leaned down to pick it up, causing the vehicle to inch forward.

"I was waiting to turn left and bent down, and I didn't see a delivery motorcycle come up in front of me," Lee said. "After the accident, I called the police myself, filed an insurance claim, and told them I would cooperate with the investigation," he added.

Police said they applied only the drunk-driving charge under the Road Traffic Act when referring the case, not the aggravated injury charge under the Act on Special Cases Concerning Traffic Accidents, after completing their investigation.

Lee made his debut in 1999 as part of MBC's 10th class of recruited comedians.

He became a familiar face through appearances on variety programs including "Happy Sunday," "Sunday Sunday Night," "Sponge," "Star Golden Bell" and "Crisis Escape Number One." In 2004, he won the grand prize at the KBS Entertainment Awards.

He also ventured into acting, appearing as Kim Mu-ok in the hit SBS drama series "Rustic Period."

He went on to appear in films including "Superstar Gamsayong" and "Two Guys."