A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of reckless driving resulting in death after he crashed into a taxi, killing a 48-year-old man in the back seat, in Kagoshima on Saturday morning.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 3:40 a.m. Police said the suspect, Yuzo Oitate, was drunk at the time of the accident which occurred at an intersection, Sankei Shimbun reported.
Police said Oitate’s car hit the taxi from the side, sending it into a power pole. The passenger was taken to hospital with head injuries but was pronounced dead on arrival. The taxi driver sustained light injuries.
Police said Oitate has admitted he was drunk while driving.
© Japan Today
9 Comments
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Michael Jackson
Here's hoping he spends a very long time in jail
Disillusioned
What's the bet the passenger wasn't wearing a seat belt? It is actually the law, in case you didn't know.
As I keep saying, drink driving is rampant in Japan due to the predictable and relaxed approach by the police. They have campaigns half a dozen times a year and catch a few hundred, but the rest of the year pretty much an open slather. It's like every other traffic offense in Japan, using your phone, running red lights, speeding, etc. The chances of being caught and penalised are very slim, so people continue to do it. Even in this case, you can be sure this 59 year old driver has been driving home drunk three or four nights a week for decades.
Haaa Nemui
Not arguing or anything... Just an extra question. If It's the case he wasn't... should there be some responsibility or charges of negligence for the driver or taxi company?
Alex Einz
Here's hoping he gets capital punishment and fast because I dont want to pay my taxes for drunk old scum to enjoy his retirement.
puregaijin
The name sounds local. Anyway the penalty for dui can be up to deportation for non locals, in addition to the basic punishment. So they should bring something really stringent for locals as well. The idea of driving at all, with the knowledge that you’ll be drinking is criminal. Not that you wanted to kill someone to begin with, but you know it needs to happen only once for a few lives to be wrecked forever, including your own. Don’t do it guys. Peace.
pudus
@ Disillusioned
"The chances of being caught and penalized are very slim, so people continue to do it.
That's odd, many westerners get thoroughly checked, even on bicycles.
fuzzylogic
"Police said Oitate’s car hit the taxi from the side, sending it into a power pole."
yep those cement power poles.
smithinjapan
Sure hope the charges are upgraded. “Reckless driving” is not quite the same as drunk driving in my books.