On the evening of February 25, 2026, the calm of Seoul’s Banpo Bridge was shattered by a dramatic accident that has since gripped the city’s attention. A 30-year-old woman, identified only as A, was behind the wheel of a black Porsche SUV when she crashed through the bridge’s railing and plunged onto the Han River’s riverside near Jamsu Bridge. The incident, which occurred at 8:44 PM, didn’t just end with her own vehicle’s destruction—in a harrowing twist, the Porsche landed squarely atop a Mercedes-Benz traveling along the riverside road below, injuring both drivers and damaging a total of four vehicles, according to reports from Yonhap News and Weekly Chosun.
Both A and the Mercedes driver, a man in his 40s, were hospitalized with what authorities described as minor injuries. The accident could have ended far worse, given the height of the fall and the traffic below. Yet, as details began to emerge, the story took an even more unsettling turn: police discovered multiple empty bottles of propofol, syringes filled with drugs, sedative anesthetics, and medical tubes inside A’s Porsche. The evidence, found immediately after the crash, pointed to a case of drugged driving that would soon dominate headlines across South Korea.
Seoul Yongsan Police wasted no time, arresting A at the scene. As they pieced together the events leading up to the crash, A reportedly admitted during police questioning that she had taken drugs before getting behind the wheel. As reported by the Chosun Weekly and confirmed by multiple outlets, A “admitted to driving under the influence of drugs during police questioning.” This admission, coupled with the physical evidence collected, set the stage for a rapid escalation in legal proceedings.
Two days later, on February 27, 2026, the focus shifted from the riverside to the Seoul Western District Court. At 10:17 AM, A arrived at the courthouse in a wheelchair, her face obscured by outerwear, as photographers and reporters jostled for a glimpse. According to Yonhap News, she ignored a flurry of pointed questions: “Do you admit to the charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act and drugged driving? Where did you get the propofol syringes? Do you have anything to say to the victim?” A remained silent, heading straight into the courtroom for her pre-trial detention hearing, which began at 10:30 AM.
The charges brought against her were serious: violations of the Road Traffic Act for drugged driving and breaches of the Narcotics Control Act. The court was to determine whether A should be detained ahead of a formal trial—a decision that would hinge on the risks of evidence destruction and flight. Later that day, the court issued an arrest warrant, stating, “There is concern about destruction of evidence and risk of flight,” as reported by NGONEWS and Yonhap News.
In the wake of the accident, the police investigation expanded beyond the immediate circumstances of the crash. Authorities began probing whether the drugs found in A’s car had been obtained legally. The presence of propofol—a powerful sedative often used in clinical settings but tightly controlled due to its potential for abuse—raised immediate red flags. Police said they were investigating the “legality of the drug prescriptions and the accident circumstances,” according to multiple sources. The question of how A obtained the propofol, and whether she had a legitimate prescription, became central to the ongoing inquiry.
As the story unfolded, public reaction was swift and intense. The accident reignited debates about drugged driving and the enforcement of South Korea’s narcotics laws. Propofol, in particular, has been a subject of controversy in the country, known both for its legitimate medical uses and for being a drug of abuse in high-profile cases. The fact that A was found with not just empty bottles but also syringes filled with drugs and medical tubes suggested a level of planning and access that troubled investigators and the public alike.
Media coverage zeroed in on A’s demeanor at the courthouse. Her refusal to answer reporters’ questions, her face hidden, and her arrival in a wheelchair all became symbols of the case’s gravity and the personal toll it had taken. According to Chosun Weekly, she “did not respond to questions about her charges or the accident during the hearing.” This silence, whether advised by counsel or a personal choice, left many questions hanging in the air.
The legal process moved quickly. That same afternoon, the Seoul Western District Court decided to grant the arrest warrant, citing the risk that A could destroy evidence or attempt to flee. The court’s decision underscored the seriousness with which South Korean authorities are treating cases involving drugged driving—especially when they result in such dramatic and dangerous incidents.
Meanwhile, the police continued their investigation, focusing on the broader context of the case. They sought to determine not only whether A had been prescribed propofol legally but also how she had obtained the other sedative anesthetics and medical paraphernalia found in her vehicle. The possibility of illegal prescriptions or unauthorized access to controlled substances is being explored, as confirmed by police statements in the media.
For the victims and those affected by the accident, the immediate concern was recovery. Both A and the Mercedes driver were reported to have sustained only minor injuries, a fact that many have described as “miraculous” given the circumstances. Four vehicles in total were damaged, adding a layer of financial and emotional fallout for those involved.
The case has also sparked renewed calls for stricter controls on prescription drugs and more robust enforcement of existing laws. In recent years, South Korea has seen a rise in cases involving the misuse of sedative anesthetics, prompting policymakers and law enforcement to tighten regulations. This incident, with its high-profile setting and dramatic visuals, may well serve as a catalyst for further reforms.
As of the latest updates, A remains in detention as the investigation continues. The outcome of her case could have far-reaching implications—not just for her own future, but for how South Korea addresses the complex intersection of drug abuse, driving, and public safety. With the legal process now underway, all eyes are on the courts and investigators as they work to unravel the full story behind that fateful night on Banpo Bridge.
For now, the city waits, watching as a single moment of recklessness sends ripples through the legal system, the medical community, and the public consciousness alike.