Fukuoka man, 68, indicted over drink-driving crash that killed three-year-old
In short
Fukuoka prosecutors indicted a 68-year-old man on October 9 on charges of dangerous driving causing death and injury. The indictment concerns a September 20 collision in which his car allegedly struck a motorcycle, killing a three-year-old boy nearby.
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Fukuoka district prosecutors indicted a 68-year-old unemployed man on October 9 on charges of dangerous driving causing death and injury following a September drink-driving crash that killed a three-year-old boy. The defendant lives in Fukuoka's Nishi ward, where the collision occurred. TBS, Nippon TV, Tokyo Shimbun and Mainichi reported the indictment. The boy was from Oita and was near the motorcycle when the collision occurred, according to the accounts of the indictment carried by Nippon TV, Tokyo Shimbun and Mainichi. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
According to the indictment as reported by Tokyo Shimbun and Mainichi, the crash occurred at about 11:10 a.m. on September 20. The man allegedly drove a small passenger car while under the influence of alcohol and struck a motorcycle ahead of him. The collision pushed the motorcycle into the boy, killing him. Mainichi said the boy was outside the road and that the motorcycle rider suffered serious injuries. Nippon TV placed the crash on a prefectural road in Oda, in the city's Nishi ward. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Tokyo Shimbun and Mainichi reported that a breath test detected 0.99 milligrams of alcohol per litre. Mainichi said police initially arrested the driver on suspicion of dangerous driving causing injury, then investigated him for dangerous driving causing death and injury. According to investigators cited by Nippon TV, he admitted the allegation and said he had drunk wine and shochu at home the previous night and from the morning of the crash. Mainichi separately attributed to investigators his statement that he confused the accelerator and brake because of alcohol. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The charges concern the death of a three-year-old child and injuries in a drink-driving crash. Mainichi reported that the motorcyclist was seriously injured.
Key facts
- Fukuoka prosecutors indicted the 68-year-old unemployed driver on October 9 for dangerous driving causing death and injury. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The crash occurred in Fukuoka's Nishi ward on September 20 at about 11:10 a.m. [ 4 , 5 ]
- According to the indictment, the car struck a motorcycle, which then hit the three-year-old boy. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Mainichi reported that the motorcycle rider suffered serious injuries. [ 5 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun and Mainichi reported a breath alcohol reading of 0.99 milligrams per litre. [ 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The driver said alcohol caused him to confuse the accelerator and brake, Mainichi reported. This account is attributed to investigators by Mainichi alone and is not an independently established explanation of the crash.