Man extradited from South Korea

A South Korean man who authorities say flew home a day after an alcohol-related crash that killed a Golden West College student in 2005 has been extradited to face vehicular manslaughter charges.

Youn Bum Lee, a Hyundai executive, was arrested on a fugitive warrant in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 2. Lee was extradited Friday after a September request by the Orange County district attorney’s office.

According to authorities, Lee, 42, was attending a company-sponsored dinner Oct. 18, 2005, where he had been drinking heavily. Lee is accused of driving with his headlights off on the 55 Freeway, then crashing into the center median, according to authorities. Ryan Dallas Cook, 23, of Fountain Valley, was on his motorcycle in the carpool lane and was unable to stop in time. Cook was thrown onto the freeway, where he was run over by several other vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lee is accused of fleeing the scene and then taking a late-night flight the next day, after consulting with co-workers at Hyundai, according to authorities.

Lee faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison. Following an initial arraignment attempt Monday, Lee is again scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

JENNIFER FREHN is the city editor of the Independent. She may be reached at (714) 966-4629 or jennifer.frehn@latimes.com.