Taxi Driver Blocked Ambulance: Police Expand Investigation

Police are intensifying their investigation into a taxi driver who obstructed the movement of an ambulance carrying an emergency patient, sparking controversy. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has deployed additional personnel and expanded the scope of its investigation, including interviews with involved parties, in relation to the incident that occurred in June.

The incident took place on June 8, 2020, around 3:15 PM on a road in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul. A private ambulance, transporting an 80-year-old terminally ill patient experiencing difficulty breathing, was blocked by taxi driver Mr. A after a minor collision and during a lane change. Despite the ambulance driver explaining the patient's critical condition and offering his business card, Mr. A blocked the ambulance's path for approximately 11 minutes, stating, "If that patient dies, I'll take responsibility. Handle this first before you go." Mr. A made these remarks with the knowledge that a patient was on board.

On July 4, 2020, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency established a large-scale joint investigation system dedicated to this case by adding a special crimes unit to the existing Gangdong Police Station's traffic accident investigation team and traffic crime investigation team.

Police investigation revealed that taxi driver Mr. A was an insurance fraudster involved in 47 traffic accidents over 13 years. Mr. A was transferred to the prosecution on charges including fraud, violation of the Special Act on Prevention of Insurance Fraud, obstruction of business, attempted extortion, and aggravated assault.