crime

70-year-old driver arrested after running over man on crossing

16 Comments

Police in Osaka said Monday they have arrested a 70-year-old man on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Law, involuntary manslaughter and fleeing the scene of an accident.

According to police, Takeshi Terai ran over and killed a 78-year-old man who was collapsed on the street in Sumiyoshi Ward at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and then kept going. However, Terai has denied the charge, claiming he has no idea what the police are talking about.

The victim was identified as Hiroki Ikeshima, a resident of Sumiyoshi Ward. Police said he was apparently lying on the road when Terai’s vehicle ran over him. He was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Local media quoted police as saying a street surveillance camera near the accident scene captured footage of Ikeshima falling over while walking on a pedestrian crossing and being run over by a car just moments later.

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16 Comments
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Dead or not, he would’ve had a better chance of living if he wasn’t struck by the vehicle.

That makes no sense. If he was already dead, he had zero chance of being alive if he wasn't struck by the vehicle. His chance of being alive, had he not been struck, would be zero - not better.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Are they certain he wasn't dead before he was struck? Sounds like a coronary.

Dead or not, he would’ve had a better chance of living if he wasn’t struck by the vehicle.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Could definitely use more information before saying this is the fault of the driver, or due to his advanced age. This happened at 11:30PM.  What were the lighting conditions like? If the road wasn't well lit, was the guy in the road wearing dark clothes? Was the crosswalk on a straight patch of street, or was it in or just around a curve?

I almost hit someone once who was passed out drunk in the street close to midnight. It was not well lit, not in a crosswalk, and was just as I came around a tight curve on a narrow two-lane road. The guy was dressed in dark jeans and a black shirt. I couldn't stop in time, but was able to swerve around him. Lucky for both of us that there was no oncoming traffic. Had I blinked, sneezed, or been even the slightest bit distracted, I wouldn't have seen him in time.  As it was, I thought he was a dead animal until I got past him. I used my car to block him from traffic while I woke him up and then carried him to the sidewalk.  He was incoherent and bleeding from his fall. I called the police to assist him, but was terrified as a gaijin that they would assume I hit him with my car, or got in a fight with him or something. Luckily that wasn't the case for me. 

So while I understand perhaps not seeing someone laying in the road in the middle of the night, I still find it hard to believe that anyone could not realize that they hit something.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Wait until you hit 60 and let's see what you have to say then

My thoughts exactly.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

American people in the same age group have the same issues. Drive like maniacs, completely and utter unawareness. 

I don't know about Americans but don't think the seventy somethings here drive like maniacs, just because there have been a spate of accidents caused by senior citizens doesn't mean they drive like maniacs.

From what I have observed, the teens. Twenties and thirties will easily qualify your description.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Obtaining a Japanese driving licence is much like Japanese high school education. They spend many hours in intensive study to pass a test, but don't actually 'learn' anything.

Interesting take on this. Have you actually ever been to a driving school in Japan? This man is 70 years old. Don't even try to suggest that the road laws when he first got his license were even remotely similar to how they are now. American people in the same age group have the same issues. Drive like maniacs, completely and utter unawareness. This isn't just a Japanese problem man.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Me: Take his license and mandatory annual license tests for drivers over 60.

Wait until you hit 60 and let's see what you have to say then!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Me: Take his license and mandatory annual license tests for drivers over 60.

Most people: He should be more careful next time.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

How many accidents does that make this year? And what has changed? Nothing. Government is absolutely worthless.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Here we go again. And to say he has no idea what they're talking about... pretty much sums up the whole killer elderly driver scurge currently ravaging Japan.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

His excuse of not having any idea what they are talking about seems quite feasible considering the old fella was on a pedestrian crossing. Japanese drivers do not pay any attention to pedestrian crossings. Obtaining a Japanese driving licence is much like Japanese high school education. They spend many hours in intensive study to pass a test, but don't actually 'learn' anything.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

NOT AGAIN!!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

However, Terai has denied the charge, claiming he has no idea what the police are talking about.

Another case a stubborn pride.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Takeshi Terai ran over and killed a 78-year-old man who was collapsed on the street in Sumiyoshi Ward at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and then kept going.

Condolences to the family here. Hell of a way to go. I wonder what made him collapse in the first place.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

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