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66-year-old man on bicycle killed in hit-and-run in Saitama; suspect arrested

12 Comments

Police in Saitama City have arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of dangerous driving resulting in death after a 66-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run on Friday night.

According to police, a little after 10 p.m., a nearby resident called 110 and said he had heard a loud noise and when he went to investigate, he saw a man lying on the road, NHK reported.

Police said the man, Koichi Hasebe, was taken to hospital where he died early Saturday morning His bicycle was found at the scene and police he was hit by a vehicle which kept going.

The incident occurred in an area dotted with restaurants and houses, located about one kilometer southeast of Owada Station on the Tobu Noda Line.

Police on Monday arrested the suspect, a construction worker, after identifying his vehicle from street surveillance camera footage.

Police said the suspect doesn't have a valid driver's license and quoted him as saying he panicked and fled after hitting a man on a bicycle.

Editor: Story has been updated to report the arrest of a suspect.

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12 Comments
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 a little after 10 p.m., a nearby resident called 110 and said he had heard a loud noise and when he went to investigate, he saw a man lying on the road,

Don't know for sure about that accidents but many bicycles just don't have proper lightning and reflective gear.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

sakurasukiToday  08:33 am JST

 a little after 10 p.m., a nearby resident called 110 and said he had heard a loud noise and when he went to investigate, he saw a man lying on the road,

Don't know for sure about that accidents but many bicycles just don't have proper lightning and reflective gear.

I agree and I see this often in Japan BUT its not an excuse to keep on driving after you hit somene. If the driver in this case had stopped perhaps the man could have been saved.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

@Alongfortheride

I never mentioned that I justify hit and run accident, only saying what we can see bicycle rider without proper gear. That includes for people that crossing intersection while playing with their smartphone without seeing surroundings.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Hit and run is the thing to do in Japan as law will make you the culprit whatever happened. Fact. It is sad but true.

So if you are not rich and/or famous, forget use of evidence and impartiality in judgement.

That's why it is so common to read such articles.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Late at night on the first day of a 3 day weekend..... I wonder if the consumption of alcohol had anything to do with both the incident and the running away?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Mr Kipling

Late at night on the first day of a 3 day weekend..... I wonder if the consumption of alcohol had anything to do with both the incident and the running away?

Possibly. But, most likely, it's the fact he didn't have a valid driver's license.

"Police said the suspect doesn't have a valid driver's license..."

3 ( +3 / -0 )

By not helping the guy he has basically caused his death . Not murder 1 ,but he's going ot do some serious time , I don't think I can't remember i was drunk will fly this time !

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Road safety with all Japanese road users sucks.

I get Japanese like to wear black....but at night when walking, jogging, cycling along a road ?

{I'm not assuming anything about the victim, just making an observation }

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

This is Japan not Gaikoku so Japanese road rules apply. The clothing choice of the cyclist is irrelevant. Road users have a duty to drive safely and not kill cyclists or other road users.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Mr. Kipling above ..."the clothing choice is irrelevant "

What do road safety experts say ?

Be identifiable...dont disguise yourself .

This is basic stuff,...I'm assuming you, too, like Black

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

So, manslaughter and driving without a license were not enough -- he thought running and getting charged with fleeing the scene would be the cherry on top. Now, at the beginning of the article it calls the suspect a "man", so I pray they don't give us the usual "18-and-therefore-not-an-adult" crap.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

18 years old and look what’s he’s done. Can never understand the people that do hit and runs, obviously these days with CCTV and all that lark you’ll get nabbed by plod. You’ll only make your sentence at least double what it would have been if you’d stopped and tried to help the victim.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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