Actor Lee Jae-ryong, 62, has been indicted on charges including fleeing the scene of an accident and obstructing justice, following a March incident where he allegedly drove under the influence and caused a collision. While initially investigated for drunk driving, prosecutors have determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him with that specific offense.
Incident Details and Initial Investigation
The incident occurred on March 6th around 11 PM in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Lee was reportedly driving near Samseong-jungang Station on Subway Line 9 when his vehicle struck a central reservation barrier. He then fled the scene without reporting the accident.
Following the collision, Lee is reported to have parked his car at a residence in Cheongdam-dong and proceeded to a nearby restaurant for another drinking session. He was apprehended by police approximately seven hours later, around 2 AM on March 7th.
At the time of his arrest, Lee’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was reportedly at a level that would typically require a breathalyzer test, suggesting he was still under the influence. However, subsequent investigations led to a different conclusion regarding the drunk driving charge.
Divergent Findings on Drunk Driving Charge
The police initially suspected Lee of drunk driving and filed charges accordingly, along with hit-and-run and obstruction of justice. Their theory was that Lee intentionally consumed more alcohol after the accident to conceal his initial state of intoxication while driving. This led to the charges being sent to the prosecution.
However, the prosecution’s investigation reached a different conclusion regarding the drunk driving charge. Using the Widmark formula, a standard method for calculating BAC retroactively, prosecutors estimated Lee’s BAC at the time of driving. The results indicated that his BAC did not exceed the legal limit of 0.03% required for a drunk driving offense.
The Widmark Formula and Legal Standards
The Widmark formula is a mathematical method used to estimate blood alcohol concentration based on the amount of alcohol consumed, body weight, and other factors. A key element in its application, particularly in legal contexts, is the absorption rate of alcohol into the bloodstream, which can range from 70% to 90%.
According to legal precedent, when calculating BAC for a suspect, the most favorable method for the individual should be used. This typically means using the lowest possible absorption rate to yield the lowest BAC estimate. However, in Lee’s case, prosecutors had to account for the additional alcohol he consumed after the accident. To provide the most favorable calculation for Lee under these circumstances, they applied the highest absorption rate.
Despite this adjustment, the estimated BAC at the time of the initial driving incident remained below the legal threshold.
Charges Filed and Legal Ramifications
While the drunk driving charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence, prosecutors have proceeded with indicting Lee on other charges. These include fleeing the scene of an accident (hit-and-run) and obstructing justice, specifically related to his actions after the collision.
Under South Korea’s current Road Traffic Act, individuals who intentionally use substances like alcohol or medication to hinder a breathalyzer test can face severe penalties. This offense carries a prison sentence of one to five years or a fine ranging from 5 million to 20 million Korean Won.
The legal provision against obstructing sobriety tests, often referred to as the ‘alcohol evasion’ or ‘술타기’ (sultagi) maneuver, was introduced in June of the previous year. This amendment was reportedly inspired by a high-profile case involving trot singer Kim Ho-joong.
Conclusion
The case of actor Lee Jae-ryong highlights the complexities of drunk driving investigations, particularly when alcohol consumption occurs both before and after an incident. While the evidence did not support a drunk driving charge, the actor faces legal consequences for fleeing the scene and potentially obstructing justice, underscoring the seriousness of traffic violations and the legal framework designed to ensure accountability.
