Police arrest man after hit-and-run kills kid

Busan police arrested a man Sunday for reportedly killing a 7-year-old boy with his vehicle on Sept. 9.

The man, surnamed Kim, fled the scene after fatally injuring the child.

Police secured CCTV and black box footage that showed Kim’s car running over the boy on a four-lane road. Other drivers then tried to pull over to protect the child.

The driver’s license plate number, however, was not visible due to the poor quality of the video and the fact that the accident took place at night.

After finding a broken wheel guide at the scene of the crime police limited their search to suspects living nearby, who drive a silver 2006 Grandeur TGs.

A total of 31 traffic investigators traced 2,555 vehicles that passed through the area where the accident had taken place and personally examined 500 Grandeurs.

On Sept. 13, police found Kim’s car, which was missing its wheel guide.

Police also located a piece of hair, suspected to be the victim’s, under Kim’s car, which they sent to the National Forensic Service for further examination.

Police plan to request a detention warrant for Kim, who testified that he wasn’t aware of the accident despite feeling a minor bump while he was driving.

Police will also examine whether Kim was under the influence of alcohol.

The 7-year-old boy was on a walk with his caregivers when the accident took place.

BY KANG SEUNG-WOO [kim.yuna1@joongang.co.kr]