World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Driver arrested after fatal crash near Sannomiya Station
A 58-year-old company executive was arrested on suspicion of causing a fatal traffic crash in Kobe, Japan.
On October 1, his car suddenly moved from the front of a line waiting at a red light on Flower Road near Sannomiya Station.
It struck pedestrians crossing the road and then hit a truck after mounting the central divider.
A 21-year-old university student died, and three other people were reported injured.
The driver told police he could not remember the crash, while a passenger said his health suddenly worsened as they waited at the light.
The cause of the sudden acceleration is still unknown, and police are investigating whether a health problem may have been involved.
The arrest is on suspicion of negligent driving causing death and injury; the investigation is continuing.
A 58-year-old company executive was arrested on suspicion of causing a fatal crash near Sannomiya Station in Kobe.
A 21-year-old university student died after a car struck pedestrians at a Flower Road intersection.
The crash happened on October 1, and police arrested the driver on October 15.
The car reportedly surged forward from the front of a lane while waiting at a red light.
The cause remains unclear, and police are investigating whether the driver’s health played a role.
- Who
- A 58-year-old company executive from Tokushima, identified by TBS NEWS DIG as Kenji Yabe.
- What
- He was arrested on suspicion of causing death and injuries in a crash that killed a 21-year-old university student and injured others.
- When
- The crash happened at about 3:40 p.m. on October 1; the arrest was on October 15.
- Where
- A road intersection on Flower Road in Chuo Ward, Kobe, near Sannomiya Station.
- Why
- The cause of the sudden acceleration is unknown. Police are investigating, including the possibility of a health-related cause.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A car waiting at a red light suddenly moved forward at an intersection on Flower Road, striking pedestrians.
Police arrested the 58-year-old driver on suspicion of causing death and injuries.
- Fatality
- A 21-year-old university student died
- Crash location
- Flower Road intersection, Chuo Ward, Kobe
- Suspect
- 58-year-old company executive from Tokushima
- Crash date
- October 1
- Arrest date
- October 15
3 sources
What people are saying
I don’t remember, so I don’t know why the accident happened.
The driver’s condition suddenly changed while we were waiting at the signal, and his body was trembling.