Han Jihua stands for trial at the Huludao Intermediate People's Court in Northeast China's Liaoning province, June 20, 2019. [Photo/Huludao Intermediate People's Court]

A driver, who last year plowed his car into students crossing the road, killing six and injuring 20, was sentenced to death by a court in Northeast China's Liaoning province on Tuesday.

The provincial Huludao Intermediate People's Court publicly announced the death penalty to Han Jihua at 2 pm on Tuesday, saying his behavior resulted in the crime of endangering public security with a dangerous method under the Criminal Law.

The court also said Han's criminal act of driving into a group of students was premeditated, planned as a reaction to trivial problems, such as marital conflict and financial troubles.

At 12:18 pm on Nov 22, 2018, more than 60 students from the second elementary school of Jianchang county in Huludao were crossing the road in front of the school's entrance under the guidance of two teachers.

At that moment, Han, driving a black Audi A6 sedan, rammed into the crowd and then fled the scene. At 12:52 pm, he was detained by police.

Six students were killed and 20 other people were wounded 20. Of the injured, 18 were children, according to the court.

The defendant pleaded guilty and had no prior criminal record, "but given that he planned the crash and his behavior brought great harm to the victims' families, we decided not to leniently punish him," the court said in a statement.

So far, there is no information on whether Han will appeal to a higher court.