Car Driven by 90-Year-Old Kills Pedestrian in Kanagawa

May 28, 2018

Yokohama- A car driven by a 90-year-old woman hit four pedestrians in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, on Monday, leaving one of them dead, police said.

The victim, a 57-year-old woman who lived in the city, was confirmed dead after being transported to hospital. The three other pedestrians were slightly injured.

The driver, Kumiko Saito, who is also a Chigasaki resident, was arrested on suspicion of negligent driving resulting in death and injury.

The accident occurred on a straight section of National Route 1 about 300 meters north of JR Chigasaki Station around 10:55 a.m. (1:55 a.m. GMT).

Saito told police investigators before the arrest that she knew that the traffic light was red at the time, sources familiar with the investigations said.

She had her driving license renewed in early March, with no major problem recognized with her cognitive ability, the sources said.

The driver also had slight injuries, while two bystanders who claimed to be sick after witnessing the accident were also taken to hospital.

She is believed to have swerved left onto a sidewalk after her car hit the pedestrians on a crossing. The victim was found on the sidewalk. Jiji Press