Former Niigata police officer referred to prosecutors over alleged hit-and-run
In short
A former Niigata police officer in her 30s was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of injuring a teenage cyclist and leaving without helping or reporting the collision, Japanese outlets reported. The July 8 incident came to light publicly in October; the referral and her resignation were reported as taking place on September 17.
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A former female police officer in her 30s was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of leaving after her car struck and injured a schoolboy cyclist in Niigata, Japanese outlets reported. The officer was assigned to the traffic division of Niigata West Police Station at the time. Tokyo Shimbun and TBS reported that the referral took place on September 17 and that she resigned the same day. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
The collision occurred on the morning of July 8 on a road in Niigata's Nishi ward. Investigative sources told the outlets that the officer's car made contact with a bicycle ridden by a male high-school student, causing minor injuries. She was suspected of leaving without providing assistance or notifying police. The reported offences included negligent driving causing injury and violations of duties to help an injured person and report an accident. Tokyo Shimbun reported that she admitted the allegations. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
Nippon TV reported that the boy suffered bruising and other minor injuries and that his bicycle was damaged. According to its account, the officer gave him 10,000 yen and told him to go to hospital, then supplied a name and telephone number before driving away. When his parent called the number, another person answered. Investigative sources said she had given a false name and number. Tokyo Shimbun also reported that she gave a false name before leaving. [ 1 , 3 ]
The reports said the officer later reported the collision herself on the same day; TBS specified that she went to the police station that evening. Nippon TV reported that she received a pay-cut penalty before resigning and quoted the boy's parent as seeking strict action. Tokyo Shimbun said the prefectural police had no comment at that time. The supplied reports describe suspicions and a prosecution referral, without stating a later charging decision or court outcome. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The suspect was serving in Niigata West Police Station's traffic division when the collision occurred, according to the reports. The boy suffered minor injuries, and his parent called for strict action in an interview with local television.
Key facts
- The collision occurred on the morning of July 8 in Niigata's Nishi ward. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- The officer allegedly left without providing aid or immediately notifying police. [ 1 , 5 ]
- Reports said she later reported the collision herself that day. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 8 ]
- She was referred to prosecutors and resigned on September 17, according to reports. [ 1 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The supplied reports do not state a prosecutorial decision or court outcome. They describe a referral to prosecutors on suspicion of offences, rather than a conviction.