World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Comedian Lee Hyuk-jae referred to prosecutors over alleged drunk driving
South Korean comedian Lee Hyuk-jae was referred to prosecutors on a drunk-driving allegation after a traffic accident in Incheon.
Police say he was driving in Songdo on the evening of September 8 when his car hit a motorcycle stopped at a traffic light.
A roadside test put his blood alcohol level in the range that can lead to a licence suspension.
Lee said he had drunk one or two glasses during dinner and that his car moved forward as he reached for a dropped phone.
He also said he reported the crash himself.
Police sent the case forward on the drunk-driving allegation only, not on a separate charge related to causing injury.
The case is now with prosecutors, and the sources do not say what decision they will make next.
Comedian and broadcaster Lee Hyuk-jae was referred to prosecutors on an allegation of drunk driving after his car hit a motorcycle in Incheon.
Police said Lee was driving in Songdo on Sept. 8 when he struck a motorcycle stopped at a traffic light.
A roadside test found his blood alcohol level was in the range for a license suspension, police said.
Lee said he had drunk one or two glasses with dinner and that his car moved forward as he reached to pick up his phone.
Police referred him on a drunk-driving charge, but not on a charge of causing injury in a traffic accident.
- Who
- Lee Hyuk-jae, a comedian and broadcaster.
- What
- Police referred him to prosecutors on suspicion of drunk driving after his car hit a motorcycle.
- When
- Sept. 8, at about 10 p.m.; police announced the referral on Oct. 20.
- Where
- At an intersection in Songdo, Yeonsu District, Incheon, in front of the Korea Coast Guard headquarters.
- Why
- Police said he drove while intoxicated. Lee said his car moved forward as he reached to pick up his phone.
Incheon Yeonsu Police
Lee Hyuk-jae
Cause of the collision
Incheon Yeonsu Police
Police referred Lee on a drunk-driving charge after investigating the incident.
Lee Hyuk-jae
Lee said the car moved forward when he reached to pick up his phone.
Alcohol and driving
Incheon Yeonsu Police
Police said a roadside test placed his blood alcohol level in the license-suspension range.
Lee Hyuk-jae
Lee said he had one or two glasses of alcohol with dinner.
Lee’s car hit a motorcycle waiting at a traffic light in Songdo, Incheon.
Lee said he reported the accident to police himself.
Police investigated and referred Lee to the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office on a drunk-driving charge.
Yonhap reported the referral.
- Referral
- Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office
- Suspect
- Lee Hyuk-jae, 54
- Collision
- Motorcycle stopped at a traffic light
- Location
- Songdo, Yeonsu District, Incheon
- Blood alcohol level
- In the license-suspension range: 0.03% to below 0.08%
1 source
What people are saying
I came out saying I would not drink during the meal, and when I dropped my phone and reached to pick it up, the car moved forward and the accident happened.
After an investigation, we referred him only on a drunk-driving charge, not on a charge of causing injury under the Special Act on the Handling of Traffic Accidents.