Teenager booked for crashing rental car into four vehicles without a license

A logo of Korean police [JOONGANG ILBO]

Gyeonggi police said Monday that it booked a teenager who crashed into four vehicles while driving without a license.

The teen was accused of colliding with a 1-ton truck and three other vehicles while driving a Hyundai Sonata in Anyang, Gyeonggi at around 11:10 p.m. on Sunday, according to Anyang Dongan Police Precinct.

Police charged the teenager, a male, with violating the Road Traffic Act for failing to take due measures after the accident and driving a motor vehicle without a license.

The suspect initially hit the truck first from the rear end on a narrow alleyway and fled from the scene. Then, he drove in reverse and hit three other parked cars, police said.

The trucker reported the accident to the police and helped the authorities discover the Sonata on-site. The underage suspect was later brought to the police station.

Police said that the teenager claimed to have quarreled with his mother earlier in the day and left his home afterward.

Police further confirmed that the Sonata he drove was a rental car. Authorities said they are investigating how the teen was able to drive it.

Police added that the underage suspect could face criminal prosecution as he is over the age of 13.

In Korea, children aged 10 to 13 are considered protection cases where they are exempt from facing criminal trials.

Anyang police said they are continuing to investigate the matter.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]