S. Korean arrested after two GIs injured

YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — A South Korean base contractor has been arrested and released in connection with a Monday crash, which resulted in one Camp Stanley soldier undergoing brain surgery and another with minor injuries, military and police officials said Friday.

The driver is a contractor working on the renovation of an Army and Air Force Exchange Service facility, said Maj. Tamara Parker, 2nd Infantry Division public affairs officer.

The driver was only identified by his family name Jung, said Sgt. Lee Pyong-hun of Uijongbu Police Station’s traffic accident division.

Police will not charge Jung until the extent of the soldiers’ injuries is known and until police can take their reports, Lee said.

The driver was given and passed a Breathalyzer test, officials said.

According to a military police report, Jung’s construction truck swerved left and struck a parked car. He then swerved a second time and the truck’s side mirror struck Warrant Officer Patrick Black, with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, who was crossing the street.

Pvt. Christopher Olenhindo, of the 602nd Aviation Support Battalion, was hit when Jung swerved a third time, the report said.

The incident remains under investigation by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, military police traffic investigators and Korean National Police, Parker said.

Olenhindo remained hospitalized Friday with serious brain trauma, Lt. Col. Steven Boylan, an 8th Army spokesman, said Friday.

Olenhindo was flown to the 121st Hospital on Yongsan Garrison and underwent brain surgery after the 5:30 p.m. accident, Boylan said. His condition was described Friday as “very serious,” said Parker.

Black suffered minor injuries to his head and shoulders and was released after treatment at Camp Stanley’s medical clinic, Boylan said.