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2-year-old girl dies after being hit by car driven by mother

24 Comments

A two-year-old girl died after she was hit by a car being driven by her mother in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Saturday, police said Sunday.

According to police, the incident occurred in a parking lot near the home of Taeko Nakai and her family at around 5:15 p.m. The child, Rei Nakai, sustained extensive injuries and was taken to hospital where she died about 90 minutes after arrival, Fuji TV reported.

Police said Taeko’s mother had come to visit for the day. Just before the accident, Taeko ahead went to her car, parked about 40 meters from the house, to drive her mother home. Her mother followed with Rei and her brothers, aged 5 and 8. Somehow Rei ran in front of the car as Taeko was moving forward and was hit.

Police said there are no lights in the parking lot.

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24 Comments
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I never understand how on earth this can happen... again someone who got their driver licence from a pocket surprise or lottery game.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Dude. There were no lights in the parking lot and she ran in front of the car. It was an accident, not somebody not paying attention.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

5:15pm. I don't think it's dark yet. Any way.. lack of attention, that's it.

I drive for more than 20 years now and have manage to avoid so many accidents, because i'm aware of what's going on around me, childs, dogs, bikes, etc

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

5:15pm. I don't think it's dark yet.

That comment sends up a red flag about your knowledge and therefore, your judgement. Even Chigasaki has trees and mountainous areas. It might not be dark at 5:15 but it can be plenty dim like dusk...in fact it may have been depending on area. And dusk and dawn are when most accidents happen because all colors fade to gray, which give you the impression you can see, but everything is blurred together, meaning you can't see as well as you think you can.

There were other people and kids there too, likely causing a distraction. And while the article says the car was moving forward that does not mean it wasn't going backward just before that point. The girl may have gone in front of the car just as the mother stopped moving backward and was looking backward as well she should, THEN she moved forward. Note the article does not say if her fatal injuries were caused by being crushed under the tire, rammed with the car at speed, or smacking the pavement after being hit.

If I find automatic fault its with the grandma who should have had the two and five year old secured with her two hands, having the 8 year old carry any baggage.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

A tragic accident. Heart goes out to the family.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Whenever this kind of accident occurs, I see the same the of comments, trying to find blame. This kind of accident is not uncommon, but is not often reported unless there is a death.

I used to drive a company car a few years ago which had reverse VDU image and forward proximity sensors.

Even though I have been driving 40 years, have know to be aware of what is around me, I found this technology very helpful. Wherever you may be, there is always the expected and unforseen.

I am pleased to see this technology develop and have worked testing it myself, although I don't think that all the technology in the world will ever eradicate human error.

By the way, I feel very sad for the child's mother.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

So very sad. Mother, especially, grandmother and family's hearts must be absolutely shattered. I've got little ones and feel for them.

(Sure it probably could have been avoided if more precautions were taken, but now is not the time for judgement.)

9 ( +10 / -1 )

(Sure it probably could have been avoided if more precautions were taken, but now is not the time for judgement.)

Yes, as with any accident, hindsight is a wonderful thing. It is easier to hit the rewind button than the fast forward button.

My heart too, goes out to the family, and I hope that people will not be too judgemental.

I also hope to continue in the future helping to develop new technology towards making cars safer.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

In Japan, parents tend to let their children walk alone even in parkings.

You always pay more attention when not in your place so that is why we hear about toddlers being run over by their parents quite often.

RIP and parents have punished themselves, I can only sympathise with their grief.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

In Japan, parents tend to let their children walk alone even in parkings.

Yes, I have noticed this too.

When driving in my native country during school run time, I curse the mobile phone.

Two years ago, a young lady stepped right out in front of me, while on her mobile.

Luckily, I managed to avoid, and no damage done.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Side and rear windows in cars seem to be getting smaller, making all-round views more difficult unless there is a reversing camera.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Whenever this kind of accident occurs, I see the same the of comments, trying to find blame. 

Yes. And especially if the tragedy is perceived to be the fault of a woman. The vitriol is unpleasant, sometimes calling for a violent end.

Completely forgetting that the mother is a victim here, too.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Too many of these very sad tragic accidents.

Zichi. The last time I was in your (home) native city, I noticed a lot done. 20 mph zones, signs in carparks advising awareness, people advertising and encouraging advance driving tests.

Outside one school anybody caught doing 31 mph in the 30 mph zone has got to apologise to the children, or get penalty points.

All helps.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I’m not placing any blame here. It’s just sad for everyone involved.

But...

Yes. And especially if the tragedy is perceived to be the fault of a woman.

Not me. I dish it out equally for men and women. I’m a feminist and believe in equal rights - and responsibility. Still, THIS case is an accident and no blaming is in order, or helpful.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You don´t let 2 year olds run freely in a parking lot. That should be common sense.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I drive for more than 20 years now and have manage to avoid so many accidents, because i'm aware of what's going on around me, childs, dogs, bikes, etc

No. You've avoided such things because you've been lucky enough to not have someone dart in front of your vehicle. As a driver, you are NOT in complete control of rather or not you get into an accident. Any driver worth thier salt knows that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Kids and cars! It happens very often all over the world. Where there are kids around cars you need your head on a 360' swivel with infrared and thermal scanners. It only takes a split second and it's over. Sad end to a Sunday outing for this family.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Tragic, but an accident.

What I figure is that the mom went to the car and the child was walking with the grandma, the child probably wanted to chase after her mom in the car, got loose from the poor grandma and got hit. Tragic accident indeed. Unfortunately accidents like this happen, but it is easy in hindsight to say this or that. I'd like to give them a benefit of a doubt and just say it was a tragic accident.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My heart goes out to the mother, who will have to live with this horrible tragedy for the rest of her life.

It says something about people that would judge her in this situation.

RIP little girl.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It says something about people that would judge her in this situation.

It sure does. It says they are humans. Everyone judges almost everyone they see. It's an evolutionary trait that has allowed us to survive. If you are so unhappy with the other posters on these threads, why do you read the comments?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It says something about people that would judge her in this situation.

If there is a post recommending some sort of punishment, I didn't see it. My general impression of those being critical (which is what I assume you meant rather than "judge") are that they are analyzing the situation and explaining their findings so that they and others will not repeat the same mistake.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Disillusioned is correct in that it happens in other countries, usually with parents or relatives driving.

https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/backovers/

That site says 50 kids a week in the US, with two fatalities. If true, that would actually suggest that it doesn't make the news because it is too common, not because it doesn't happen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I strap my 2 year old into the child seat BEFORE starting the engine....

Seems to work quite well!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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