One dead, 13 injured After Fatal Crash, elderly man in his late 70s arrested, Drug Test Positive

A taxi driver in his late seventies has been arrested following a fatal multi-vehicle crash near Jonggak Station in central Seoul that left one pedestrian dead and thirteen others injured, police said on Friday.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the driver was taken into emergency custody early Friday on suspicion of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents resulting in death and injury.

The accident occurred at around early evening on Thursday, when the electric taxi driven by the suspect suddenly accelerated for reasons that remain under investigation. The vehicle struck a traffic signal pole at a crosswalk, collided with two passenger cars in succession, and then plowed into pedestrians who were waiting for the signal to change.

A woman in her forties suffered cardiac arrest at the scene and was transported to a hospital while receiving CPR, but later died. Thirteen others sustained injuries of varying severity.

Police said a preliminary drug screening conducted after the crash returned a positive result for morphine-related substances. Investigators noted that the substance may be linked to prescription medication, such as cold or pain relief drugs, and have requested a full toxicological analysis from the National Forensic Service to determine the exact cause.

Initial police findings did not indicate alcohol intoxication at the time of the accident. The driver reportedly told investigators he did not remember why the vehicle suddenly accelerated.

The case has reignited public debate in South Korea over the risks associated with elderly drivers, particularly in commercial transportation. Experts point out that advanced age can affect vision, hearing, and reaction time, and that long-term medication use may increase the risk of impaired driving.

Authorities said the investigation will focus on whether drug use, health conditions, or vehicle malfunction contributed to the crash, and whether additional safety measures for senior drivers are necessary.