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9-year-old boy in serious condition after being hit by car

12 Comments

A 9-year-old boy remained in a serious condition Tuesday after he was hit by a car driven by a police officer while on a pedestrian crossing in Saitama City on Monday night.

According to police, the incident occurred just before 6 p.m. in Minuma Ward. The 27-year-old police officer driving the car, Satomi Koyano, was heading home after having finished her shift when the accident occurred, Sankei Shimbun reported.

The boy was rushed to hospital where he remains unconscious due to a severe head injury.

Saitama prefectural police are currently investigating the incident as a case of negligent driving resulting in injury.

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12 Comments
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Very sad story.  Hope the boy recovers.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

Police accountability is one of the things I like about Japan. We basically don't have that in my country.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Was the driver / police officer arrested? Drivers are always arrested and assumed guilty in Japan. Hence there are so many that flee the scene.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I hope they gave her a breathalyzer test on site!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

This red light running happens every day in Japan. It’s incredible. Never start walking immediately on the green signal - pause for 3 seconds and you’ll save your life. Teach your kids that too please.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Won't be able to blame old people this time. Very unfortunate for the boy but not surprising.

Japanese driving for you...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That police officer need to go back to school driving

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hmmm......I wonder what's going to happen to that officer?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

To be fair, I'm not taking a side, kids do just run around without paying attention to anything. It was around sunset/dusk time. Drivers also do not look. It could be a factor of all three situations. But just a sad story over all, regardless of who's fault it was. I hope the little girl recovers soon.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This police officer, she should be meted out with a harsh punishment not just fines. The boy was crossing on a pedestrian crossing. I hope the boy regained his consciousness.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't understand why the expressions of sympathy here have received negative mark downs.... Are those who did so, complete and utter Morons who have no heart for the Family concerned ? Any "normal" Parent will continually worry about their Kids, and when involved in an accident such as this will understandably be distraught. My heart goes out to them.

As for the Driver, simply because they've been identified as a Police Officer, doesn't mean that they're one of those who drive Police Cars... The Woman could be a desk clerk.... who knows...

I'd imagine that she's feeling pretty terrible at the moment.

And finally as for marked Pedestrian crossings in Japan... in my experience, unless controlled by lights, drivers in the main, tend to ignore Pedestrians waiting to cross (unless there's a Police bike clearly present). Schools also seem to teach Kids to wait before crossing the road (when there's a crossing person present).

Ideally, if you are a Driver... when you see a Pedestrian crossing sign, have a thought, and slow down....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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