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A five-vehicle chain-reaction crash on South Korea’s Honam Expressway sent three people to the hospital with minor injuries Friday afternoon, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:19 p.m. local time in the leftmost lane at the 73-kilometer mark toward Cheonan, between the East Gwangju Tollgate and the Munheung Junction in Buk-gu, Gwangju. A 1-ton truck driven by a man in his 20s, identified only by his surname A, rear-ended a passenger car ahead of it.
The initial impact pushed the car into a sport utility vehicle (SUV) ahead, triggering a chain reaction. A 6-ton truck and another SUV that had stopped in front were also struck in sequence, resulting in the five-vehicle pileup.
Three people sustained minor injuries: a man in his 70s who was driving the lead passenger car, a passenger in that car, and a man in his 60s who was driving the first SUV. All three were transported to a nearby hospital and are currently receiving treatment, officials said. No life-threatening injuries were reported.
Police confirmed that the driver of the 1-ton truck, A, was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. Investigators believe A may have failed to properly look ahead in a congested traffic section, and they are now reconstructing the exact sequence of events.
Expert Analysis and Safety Reminders
Chain collisions are common on expressways during peak travel times, especially when drivers follow too closely or are distracted. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for nearly 30% of all crashes in the United States, with multi-vehicle pileups often resulting from a single close-following error. While this accident occurred in South Korea, the same defensive driving principles apply everywhere: maintain a safe following distance, stay alert in stop-and-go traffic, and avoid sudden braking.
Local traffic authorities in Gwangju urged drivers to exercise extra caution on the Honam Expressway, which sees heavy traffic during afternoon hours. The expressway is a major artery connecting Gwangju to the Seoul metropolitan area, and congestion is typical near the Munheung Junction.
The fire department and police responded quickly, clearing the scene within an hour to minimize further disruption. No additional details about the injured individuals’ conditions have been released.
(Photo provided by Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News)
This report is based on information from the Gwangju Buk-gu Police Station and the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Fire Headquarters. For more updates on traffic safety and international incidents, follow our coverage.
