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© KYODOTruck driver admits drinking alcohol before accident that killed 2 children
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Bjorn Tomention
Premeditated !!
No Mercy !!
Make an Example out of him and make sure others take note !!
enolagay
Hang this animal high, and don’t tie the rope properly. Let him suffer
egalite
Eliminate this man immediately ! He is too dangerous and must pay the ultimate price for his reckless action.
Japanese police must conduct random tests for professional drivers, I suspect, given the number of accidents reported, too many of these old guys are drinking and driving.
Moreover, something must be done to enforce zebra crossing regulations. These drivers need to be educated the hard way. Whats I see on the streets of Chiba is unacceptable and extremely dangerous. No one bothers stopping.
rainyday
As a parent of an elementary school kid who has to walk alongside dangerous roads like this one I hope this spurs some debate about how to make these safer. This isn't just a story about some drunk driver (though its obviously partly that), its also a story about the risks young children are being exposed to every day across this country on this outrageously dangerous roads.
virusrex
Nothing in the article point out to the criminal planning to cause the accident, so it would not be premeditated.
Which of course does nothing to absolve him from the responsibility of taking lives because of his illegal actions, it is too late for the kids but if his punishment is severe enough and reported everywhere maybe other people that drink before driving would think twice from now on.
Chico3
Why is his mommy involved in this? He's a way fully grown physically and somewhat mentally dude. He can answer for himself. I'm not sure if the "gallows" are necessary, but he needs to repent and answer for his trouble. RIP kids. You were the innocent ones.
nandakandamanda
In one police interview, they asked him why he swerved left and hit the concrete pole. (Motive) He said he sensed/saw a dark object approaching on his right and swung the wheel left. Could have been his imagination, sure, but I wonder why this detail is left out of most reports? I still cannot visualize how he hit the pole and then… bounced off it and into the line of innocent kids.(?)
Bjorn Tomention
virusrex Today 04:28 pm JST
Drinking and driving is a crime, knowingly drinking and driving especially a large truck , the guy was planning to commit a crime...............it's premeditated , please dont tell me you are also a lawyer !
He didnt just happen to fall into his shochu as he fell into the cab of the truck ........................
Fighto!
Execution is the only punishment acceptable.
Rest in Peace to the poor little children.
Addfwyn
Obviously he committed a crime here resulting in the death of people, which is tragic, but the clamoring for blood in the comments here seems a bit excessive.
I am not a proponent of the death penalty to begin with, but even if I were I don't feel like this is a case it should be applied to? Intent matters, this wasn't a premeditated rampage or serial killing that could possibly warrant the death penalty.
Feels like the appropriate charge, as that is exactly what he did, probably multiple counts which would increase the penalty even more.
ulysses
I am so sorry for the children and their families.
The truck driver is will probably spend the rest of his life in prison and it is well deserved.
And the people calling for Capital Punishment, get a life!!!
AviBajaj
Does japan have no age limit for truck drivers as reflexes becomes slower after mid fifties
Kumagaijin
If she knew her son was an alcoholic or frequently drove drunk, she could be charged or forced to pay compensation to the families/victims.
Remember this accident...
https://japantoday.com/category/crime/mother-employer-of-epileptic-crane-driver-ordered-to-pay-compensation-over-fatal-accident
itsonlyrocknroll
Hiroshi Umezawa, 60 allegedly could be convicted for the deaths, through driving with excess alcohol in his blood stream of two elementary school children, so inflicting a life sentence grief on the families. Everything has been snatched away.
And Hiroshi Umezawa will deservedly go to hell, if found guilty.
I would be a hypocrite to judge Hiroshi Umezawa, as a student I not only drank and drive, I drank and rode a motor cycle.
So there for the grace god go I.
vanityofvanities
Many vehicles and small roads in Japan. For Americans, Japanese roads are alleys.
KariHaruka
Causing death by drunk driving should carry the same severity of punishment as manslaughter does.
You've chosen to endanger the lives of others and your actions have resulted in killing someone.
Imo, a sentence of a minimum of 15 years should be applied to drunk drivers that kill, and even then that still isn't enough for the children who've unfairly had their lives snatched away from them.
Sven Asai
Yes, the world is unfair. I have a golden driver license but can’t even afford buying a car and driving while others drive a truck under alcohol and kill little children. I hope it is worth to treat you and me this way.
rainyday
The guy is 60 years old for crying out loud, there has to be some point at which moms stop being responsible for everything bad their kid does and I'm pretty sure its a lot earlier than that (even ignoring the fact that the mother is quoted in the article as saying she hardly ever saw her son drink).
snowymountainhell
Tragic. The families and community need time to recover what the can of their lives.
HBJ
I know that this comment is meant with the best intentions, and the parents must be devastated - but I'm not surprised that small children were involved, in fact I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
The road in the picture doesn't appear to have any sidewalks, or much relief at all for pedestrians, and this is a common sight all over the country. The daily sight of groups of young children walking to and from school, often like zombies in the morning, and more jovially in the afternoon fills me with fear because I know just how bad the drivers are around my neighborhood.
It's kind of an impossible problem to fix because the kids have to go to school, and the roads aren't suddenly going to get wider. The burden must be on the drivers to really drive with the utmost care and attention, and the police must start taking dangerous driving and rule breaking more seriously, and not just being interested in issues like drunk driving during end of year party season.
Chibakun
Were the children on the sidewalk, or wasn't there one?
I know space is a premium, but seriously, no sidewalks is just asking for it.
snowymountainhell
Seems like same story could be depicted in pictures from a more, respectful distance. Somewhat bothersome of these media depicted in the photos as well, hovering directly over and around the grieving like vultures.
Laguna
I raised two children who had to walk on a road the width of what would be described 猫の額 (cat's forehead) which I also used to commute. I learned to leave 30 minutes prior to my planned time so I wouldn't panic and speed. But I had a choice in that. Haulers don't. Their pressure is intense.
kohakuebisu
This is why commercial vehicles at least should be fitted with dash cams. My suspicion is that he overreacted to something, hit the pole because he was going too fast, and then ploughed into the kids. Cam footage would tell us whether the something he reacted to was real or imaginary. We need to know why this happened so we can stop it happening again.
The underlying problem is that the road is too dangerous for kids to be walking along. Exactly the same as the preschoolers in Otsu who would have been saved by a crash barrier at the junction. Putting all of the blame on the driver will end up with the road and hundreds like it being left as it is and lots of kids continuing to walk along them undefended waiting for the next bad apple driver to cause a tragedy.
otherworldly
WTF?
Lee
What a ridiculous platitude ! No one ever said that 2 wrongs make a right !!! All people want is to have something to help then cope with the ubelievable sadness and grief. Then you come along and try and take even that away ???? smhid
Lee
While I can understand your sentiment, I can't help feeling the unbelievable irony of it being posted by someone whose tag name is the name of the aircraft that inflicted incredible suffering on innocent children in Hiroshima. ???????????
ペルソンペル
Could not mandatory alcolocks have prevented such a tragic accident?
Many countries have it in public transport, you have to blow "green" for thunderstorms to start.
snowymountainhell
Agreed *@P.Smith 5:50pm**: “Bad writing” - The verbiage indicates he only* admits to drinking alcohol before the accident:
The writer(s) verbiage leaves open the questions of other possible, yet not probable, factors.
Your version, rightfully so, directly implicates the driver for the accident:
Perhaps media here is afraid of some type of libel an/or liability?
Perhaps @otherworldy 5:58pm, the article need closer scrutiny?
snowymountainhell
Don’t sweat it @Lee 6:23pm. It’s another one of this week’s “sock puppets” created to outrage and enrage. Perhaps just ask Moderators to again review this new user name, most likely, created in the last 24 hours to replace the one that was closed out most likely, yesterday?
Elfinou
The previous comment was referring to the death sentence. I think no one here knows the feeling of the parents concerned by this terrible accident, and neither if they think that hanging him (with a loose rope or not) would help them deal with their grief. So no one is coming here to "try to take that away".
My opinoin is that life sentence, especially in a Japanese prison, would be much more severe: locked in a small cell for the rest of your life, with only your thoughts and regrets as a companion.
itsonlyrocknroll
As a student London, I fell off my motorcycle, I was not found to be over the limit.
However, the hospital refused to allow my medical data to be shared.
I drank and rode, and a result was I fractured my both hips.
Heck thanks, to Japan Orthopedic surgeons, I can walk without resembling an extra from thunderbirds.
The operations, twelve, I paid for for personally.
Not the full cost, although I accept full responsibly.
I could have sat in the same seat as Hiroshi Umezawa, I obviously didn't, could not other contributors admit to having a sniffer, and turning the wheel?
N.M.
This wouldn't happen if kids were not forced to walk home in the middle of the afternoon. And if sidewalks were more secured.
Kids should be able to stay in the school premises until their parents come to take them home.
Bob Fosse
To the full extent of the law, yes.
But the bloodthirsty mob comments are too much.
Bob Fosse
Whose fault was that? Luckily you only injured yourself.
I hope not. If they do they are as foolish and stupid as anyone who drinks and drives.
itsonlyrocknroll
Yes Bob, as expected you are a paragon of pious action de juger.
Maybe you should consider refection on your refusal of humility?
Bob, et si on arretait de juger.
*Bob Fosse
I like beer. I’ve also never driven a car or ridden a motorbike. So, I’ve never injured myself or others.
I don’t know what kind of response you were expecting by admitting drink driving in the comments section of a news story about a man who has recklessly killed children by drink driving.
I don’t think there should be any ‘we’ve all done it’ camaraderie in this. Anyone who drinks and then drives is a fool.
Eyeblack
That's quite a terrible thing. He should have his driver license taken away, no more driving!
Mark
I am sure that each and every one of you people at some point in your life driven after a beer or two, and if your answer is NO the you are a LIER.
Now this man will be punished according to the law, but for us to judge him is WRONG and Evil.
Stewart Gale
I am sorry to disappoint the normal band of bloodthirsty “hang ‘em high” death penalty advocates among the Japan Today posting community but this man will not receive the death penalty.
He will receive a custodial sentence, causing death by dangerous driving is not punishable by the death penalty in Japan, or any other country I know of.
The case last week when a driver was sentenced to death after killing people on the side of the road was different because he was deemed to have intended to kill them.
Takara
Why to bother his 80yo mother! She didn't drive. This is sick! He is 60 he should know better. Wanna hear his mommy apologizing for his old behind? Nope!
Deepest condolences to families who lost their children. Heartbreaking.
itsonlyrocknroll
Hiroshi Umezawa, 60 will quite righty face the full weight of J law.
To Judge, Hiroshi Umezawa in an attempt harp and forgive our own moral inadequacies is adding insult to injury.
Justice if found guilty, Hiroshi Umezawa must be held accountable.
lordoflys
It is easy for the armchair judges to sentence those whose circumstances are unknown. For all we know, the driver was an honorable man who made a bad choice. We have all been there. A terrible tragedy with consequences. Not only will this man have to live with the memory of what he's done, but he will also lose his job and his ability to drive and spend time in prison as a result. Judge not, lest ye be judged. There are no winners in this drama.
Antiquesaving
Never not even a single time!
I explained in length previously but in short I was a paramedic back home, straight out of school, I saw far to many killed and injured by drunk drivers in just my first year, I swore never to have even a single drink and drive.
When you have witnessed dead children, a pregnant woman crushed in her car with a trunk driven by a drunk driver completely on top of her car and far worse, it changes your life forever.
I am in my late 50s, I was in my late teens and early 20s back then and I still see the faces and bodies as if it was yesterday.
I have zero pity, zero compassion for anyone that drinks and drives regardless if they injure someone or not,
therougou
Apparently the road was known to be dangerous, and didn't have proper markings. They need to take a hard look at the school and local government for putting the kids in danger on their daily walks to/from school.
Kane Davidson
Choyo Elementary School in Yachimata was closed Tuesday, while the local education board was still unable to give any form of explanation to the parents of school pupils.
What exactly is there is explain?
PrimeGravity
There should be ZERO tolerance for drunk driving especially when it causes the death of others. Drunk driving is irresponsible, dangerous and plain stupid.
Bob Fosse
Then you are wrong. I’ve never driven a car, never had a license and I’d guess I’m far older than you are.
blue in green
Those poor little souls, and their parents.
Yes, the driver is at fault.
But also, traffic laws need to restrict large trucks
from narrow roads where children or any pedestrian walks,
unprotected!
I agree.
Antiquesaving
And
And plenty more!
I am not sure the reason behind these attempts at changing the focus from drunk driving to the roads but is seems some really do want to blame the roads.
Japan has far fewer accidents than the USA or the UK adjusting for population.
So the roads albeit not the optimum designs are not the factor here.
Drunk driving that it what is the cause plain and simple.
Why do so many want to bring up how bad in their minds the Japanese roads are? Guilty conscience?
kibousha
Every year, accidents killing children, yet, "I'm a good driver, that ain't gonna happen to me" drivers never seem to decrease.
Antiquesaving
"Its the roads, it's the roads!"
Oh come on people try knocking it off with the roads thing.
It was 15:30 the guy was working driving a truck on his way back to his company at the end of his shift.
Who in their right mind drinks on the job and drives?
And alcoholic because they cannot wait until they get home for that drink!
Normal people wait until they are off work at least!
Stop trying to blurr the subject which is drinking and driving!
u_s__reamer
Humans hate to admit (because acute arousal of emotional affect deprives them of the capacity to think deeply, and access what intelligence and imagination they may possess) that when accidents happen or even crimes are committed, the perpetrator, no matter how guilty, is also a victim. Why was Umezawa drinking and driving? What had happened that day, week, month, year, indeed during the 60 years of his life? He made a terrible mistake and will suffer the rest of his life for his fatal actions. No need for blood lust, just expiation and forgiveness for a flawed human being. Whether one is a believer or not, there is deep wisdom in the old saying: there but for the grace of God go I.
Commodore Perry
Horrible.
Bjorn Tomention
Aint the first time he drivin drunk in his truck you can bet on that, he been rolling the dice on you n your kids life for 40 odd years betcha aces on that ! It wasnt no mistake or accident it as a on purpose, deliberate !
Kobe White Bar Owner
This whole article is a perfect example of why Japan is such a nanny state and no one takes responsibility just blanket apologize and typical rhetoric. Pathetic, RIP.
NOMINATION
First of all, there are plenty of places that have safe and large sidewalks that are away from main roads that kids use to walk to school. Everyone can choose where they want to live and how much they value their child's safety. Second, many schools have their students walk in designated neighborhood groups for safety reasons because past occurrences of kidnappings.
Antiquesaving
The fact so many here down vote simple logic that the problem is drinking and driving or try blaming the roads or down vote the logical fact that no normal person drinks or more likely has to drink before 15:30 during work driving a truck brings me to one conclusion.
There are a lot of people here thatay just "need" that drink mid day like this man did!
Make all the excuses you want, try justifying things in whatever way you feel but at the end of the day this thinking and need to find another reason other than Drunk driving say to me, some here need to take a Good long look at their lives and properties.
Maria 'Bing' Velasquez Reid
Never never drive intoxicated.
ELIMINATE DRUNK DRIVING NOW!
There are stickers in the US of Mother’s Agains Drunk Driving.
Until you personally experience one in your family - you will not be against drunk drivers. If you yourself get damaged for life hitting a wall or tree by yourself and impair yourself forever - you will continue to drink because of alcoholism.
UK9393
Just how selfish can a person be? Hard to actually accept. May he be haunted by his actions until he breathes his last.
Can anyone remember the "accidnet" where a company employee was speeding, going into a curve too fast and ran into children walking to school. I think it was in Hyogo Prefecture and around 7 children were lost. Over 10 years ago,
Antiquesaving
Breathalyzer immobilizer on every vehicle will end 90% of the problem.
If you think this infringes on your rights well to bad, driving isn't a right but a privilege.
I for one would be fine if they ordered this done, it wouldn't make any difference in my life, just one more tiny step to take before driving, no different than extending my side view mirrors, adjusting the rearview mirror, tying my seatbelt.
The up side for those driving is if your car won't start because you had a few drinks, you may just have saved yourself from being arrested or worse causing an accident!
mmwkdw
There is nothing anyone can say here of meaning to Console those who have lost their loved ones.
mmwkdw
From an Insurance perspective, all Company owned vehicles should have an Alcohol inhibiter which prevents the vehicle being driven if Alcohol is detected. The override for such an inhibitor should be made by someone who will take the heat in a situation such as this - a Company Exec/Board Member. Such Technology is available now. And if enforced will help reduce such occurrences here.
I would hope, that could be passed into LAW as a reinforcement of Common Sense, but sadly, this is wishful thinking.
mmwkdw
In short.. The Government does not care, and no one else cares... except those of us with no power to do anything, other than to provide sympathy.
OB one
I am sure that the company or at least his coworkers knew he had an alcohol problem but chose not to speak up. !? I can feel the pain of the family who lost the little one’s,I am a father who lost his oldest son, no punishment can bring back their children, they will spend the rest of their lives thanking why their children?
I believe there’s a lot of people who should take responsibility for what he has done , I hope he spends the rest of his life thanking what he has done!!?
God bless the family’s, rest in peace little ones.
Commodore Perry
No way should elementary school children be allowed to walk without adult supervisionJapan unless they are on a sidewalk or crosswalk.
.
Antiquesaving
And how would any of that have made a difference?
Look at the size of the truck, would a sidewalk have stopped it from hitting anyone?
Would a crosswalk stopped a speeding truck with a drunk driver?
Would a parent or adult have been able to stop the truck?
The driver was drunk his motors kills impaired all any of what you say would have done is nothing or had adults and children killed or injured.
This is not a case of no sidewalks, no crosswalk, no adult supervision, not even a guardrail would have stopped a truck that size.
It is a case and only a case of someone stupid enough to drive drunk.
Why is this so hard for so many here to just admit that.
Why are so many here trying to find someway of blaming parents, the government, the road, etc...?
Why can so many here just admit that alcohol and driving is the problem in this case?
I am completely confused at the reaction of so many that just want to find any other thing to blame and not the drinking and driving and the driver.
The fact so many down votes the simple fact of pointing out it is not the roads, etc . But drinking and driving tell me one thing, there are probably quite a few that don't see drinking and driving as being a problem or dangerous.
That is the only explanation for those reactions.
Zaphod
Absolutely tragic, but the calls for blood on this forum are just astounding.
kaimycahl
Has anyone perhaps thought about the fact that the truck driver could have attended a company function where co-workers drink? Could this be the reason why the police investigators went to the company to investigate? I say this because the mom said her son hardly drinks, this begs the question of why he was drinking if he was not a drinker. Just my twist on what I gather from reading the article and not the illogical comments.
Commodore Perry
Japan--make a special exception for the death penalty in this case.
moonlight mask
As long as I watched TV news, the road is very narrow without footpath. I can't believe kids walk this road for school about 30 minutes everyday. Too dangerous!
FizzBit
I doubt he was drunk unless he had more than 4 beers. Had a couple of beers with lunch which made him not only impaired, but more important, incredibly tired. Over reacted after hitting the pole. He deserves to be in prison, not put to death. So sad for the families.
Danielsan
Narrow streets in Japan are difficult to navigate, especially in a larger truck. Adding alcohol to the mix is unwise.
Boku Dayo
I don't know how exactly how high his alcohol limit was, but I suspect he may have also fallen asleep at the wheel after having had "a drink or two". Truck drivers here in Japan are known for being overworked and often end up driving while short of sleep. Still, no excuse for what was done.
Mr Kipling
On the news this morning they reported that the death toll has risen to 5.
therougou
Just trying to provide info posted on social media by people that live in the area. If you don't use the road for yourself how can you say it wasn't a factor? The people living there seem to think it was.
adangoia
Living here in Japan and being a European person, I want to express my comment in here.
I find this tragedy predictable and avoidable all the way, having said that the truck driver must be punished in an exemplary way for what he did, I would like to add that seeing the images on TV news, I noticed how narrow the road was and extremely unsafe for pedestrians who travel it. The road is very narrow, with no walkable area and no impact barriers for lateral protection on the edge of the road that this situation would require in any case. Since the road is devoid of such minimum safety conditions, as a parent I would never, ever send my children on that dangerous path and moreover, in the past, there have already been multiple petitions and complaints about the road hazard against the Municipality, so what happened yesterday was largely predictable and avoidable.
Since the municipality does not have the financial means to secure this road, the children should not have been there at that time, so even the parents who allowed this situation to degenerate into tragedy accepted this dangerous situation in the end and this is a very nasty mistake.
I would have organized myself differently and would have protected the welfare of my children first and foremost.
The general inaction that often happens in Japan is now legendary and it is NEVER preventive but ALWAYS corrective, just living in a bubble...
Pray for the little souls.
Simon Foston
Commodore PerryJune 30 05:15 am JST
He's 60 years old. This is Japan. He might well die of old age in solitary confinement before they got round to setting a date for his execution.
Patrick Kimura-Macke
If this man feels remorse he may wish to spend the rest of his life helping to prevent similar incidents happening by talking about it and promoting abstinence from drinking alcohol and other measures that contributed to this terrible tragedy. If he has the appropriate character this kind of redemption would have the most value he can have to society in the life he has remaining. While serving in prison of course.
Mr Kipling
i am happy to report that although the subtitles on the TV said 5 had died, this doesn't seem to be correct.