A Chinese was detained for allegedly running away after crashing into a taxi and injuring a Korean man in Seoul, police said Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Chinese man, identified only by his surname Ryu, drove a car under the influence of alcohol and hit a taxi parked in front of the police box in Itaewon at around 5 a.m. on March 13. 

The crash left a 40-year-old Korean man, surnamed Shim, injured. He is not in critical condition, police said.

The Chinese, who came to Korea for a short visit, was with his Korean friend, surnamed Kim, at the time of the crime. Kim allegedly helped him to flee.

During the probe, police found that Ryu had been heavily intoxicated and drove the car without a license.

Yongsan Police Station booked Ryu on charges of drunk driving, hitting a car and running away, while his friend Kim was charged with aiding and abetting Ryu’s crime.

Ryu was supposed to leave the country on Friday, but is being held in police custody. He is likely to submit a habeas corpus petition, police said.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)