crime

18-year-old arrested over hit-and-run death of cyclist

20 Comments

Police in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Saturday arrested an 18-year-old youth over the hit-and-run death of a 53-year-old man riding a bicycle on Friday night.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 8:15 p.m. Local media reported that the cyclist, Yasuhiro Kikuchi, was hit from behind by the car and was sent hurling to the ground. He was taken to hospital with severe head injuries but was pronounced dead on arrival.

After hitting Kikuchi’s bicycle, the car kept going. However, police were able to identify the car through street surveillance camera footage. Police said the driver, who cannot be named because he is a minor, has been charged with reckless driving resulting in death.

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20 Comments
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mistakes are deadly, specially when driving a lump of steel.

not taking responsibility - dont drive, want to drive - pay for mistakes, if your mistake killed someone, forfit your life , that is justice. quite simple

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The guy SAT in his CAR, and DIDN'T even BOTHER to come over and help me

in the least, I literally COMBAT CRAWLED out of the street to avoid being run over,

I had a similar experience in Davis, California. The punk who ran a stop sign and hit me was more interested in checking to see whether his car was scratched than my situation. I had to plead with him to call an ambulance.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If I were an 18-23 or so year old and still being described as a child/minor, I'd be pissed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Panic" is not a valid excuse for hit and run. Any delay to the response to a serious accident can result in unnecessary death. The man's life might have been savable.

There will always be accidents and I can sympathize with that. I cannot sympathize with leaving someone to die. It is not "murder", but it is still something very serious indeed.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Not only that, but a murder who ran and was only caught after investigation. Now he'll spend a max of 23 months (probably less, depending on birthday) in a reformatory before he's out and probably able to drive again. He can pick up the 19 year old murderer from yesterday and go for a joyride together, maybe. These guys literally get away with murder.

I see that the JapanToday comment section is again filled with people who don't seem to understand the definition of murder... Ill put it in very simple terms: if its not premeditated it wont be convicted of murder.

If this really was an accident why did the suspect flee the scene?

Because he's an 18 year old kid who probably panicked. Ive seen 55 year old adults panic and flee a scene as well, doesn't mean that they literally intended on causing an accident.

exactly, and i hope for strictest sentence possible... life with no parole

Why? For making a mistake? This kid already knows that he caused someone to lose their life. Do you honestly think that he isn't going to live with that for the rest of his life? Arguably that's more of a strict sentence than anything else.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Again the important part is The "Reckless disregard" which must be determined by the courts

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@ simon - thank you for your post but I was talking about laws in the states I have no experience with Japanese law

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Michael Jackson: "Why protect the privacy of a murderer?"

Not only that, but a murder who ran and was only caught after investigation. Now he'll spend a max of 23 months (probably less, depending on birthday) in a reformatory before he's out and probably able to drive again. He can pick up the 19 year old murderer from yesterday and go for a joyride together, maybe. These guys literally get away with murder.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

An individual old enough to commit any violent act against other individuals and society is old enough to be publicly named and to receive any associated shame and humiliation.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@Simon: vehicular manslughter.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am not defending this"kid" but if anyone should come up with a way to get the stupid out of teenage boys with drivers license and cars they should win a Nobel Prize.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

MJ - "if the person acts ........................ murder".

危険運転致死傷罪 is not a murder charge. It's careless use of a vehicle causing death.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Maybe you haven't looked at the definition of murder. This person doesn't fit it.

At the very least, this person committed manslaughter. But since no motive for the crime has been established in this report there is nothing to back up your assertion that the suspect doesn’t fit the description of a murderer. If this really was an accident why did the suspect flee the scene?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I got hit by a car while riding my bike to work in Tokyo some years ago.

The guy SAT in his CAR, and DIDN'T even BOTHER to come over and help me

in the least, I literally COMBAT CRAWLED out of the street to avoid being run over,

all the while the guy just sat in his car.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@ Stranger - if the person acts with reckless disregard (as in striking someone with their vehicle and not stopping to help) and that reckless disregard results in the death of another, he can very well be charged with and convicted of murder. Of course that would be for the courts to decide

0 ( +6 / -6 )

He was taken to hospital with severe head injuries but was pronounced dead on arrival.

I’m not defending the link that killed him but, maybe there is a reason why it is law for all people wear helmets on bicycles in other countries. Of course, there is nothing in the article to prove he would have survived if he was wearing a helmet, but the are statistics to support it.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

That law needs to be changed. Why protect the privacy of a murderer?

Maybe you haven't looked at the definition of murder. This person doesn't fit it.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

exactly, and i hope for strictest sentence possible... life with no parole

1 ( +7 / -6 )

That law needs to be changed. Why protect the privacy of a murderer?

4 ( +12 / -8 )

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