
Suspicion of escape injury due to loss of consciousness, accident aftermath, and violation of the Traffic Accident Handling Special Act (lethal injury)
■ Case Summary The client (a driver) crossed the center line while driving and caused an initial collision with a disabled taxi driver who was traveling in the opposite lane. The first accident resulted in injuries to the victim that required medical treatment for about two weeks and vehicle repair costs. The second accident occurred on a nearby road with a passenger vehicle waiting at a traffic light, which resulted in injuries to the victim that required medical treatment and vehicle repair costs. At the time, the client was unconscious due to side effects of his medication and autonomic dysfunction, which made it impossible for him to drive normally. After the accident, the client was accused of violating the Specified Crimes and Aggravated Penalties Act (escape from the scene) for leaving the scene. Case Issues The key issues in this case are whether the client lost consciousness and the absence of intent to flee. The client admits to the objective facts of the first and second traffic accidents, but denies that he lost consciousness due to autonomic dysfunction at the time of the accident.