Japan: 85-Year-Old Driver Kills Two Pedestrians, Flees Scene, Crashes Into Home

A tragic accident occurred in Nagoya, Japan, when an 85-year-old man driving a minibus fatally struck two pedestrians who were crossing at a crosswalk. The incident, which took place on the afternoon of May 29, has raised concerns about elderly drivers.

The driver, identified as Teruya Sakai, fled the scene after the collision. He continued driving approximately 350 meters east before crashing into a residential building and several parked vehicles, bringing his reckless journey to an end. The victims were identified as Yuki Oishi, 36, who lived near the accident site, and Shin Tanaka, 35, from Nagoya's Chigusa Ward.

Sakai, who had been a driver for the "Nagoya Swimming Club" for about 20 years without any prior accidents, was reportedly in good health despite his age. Club officials stated that due to a shortage of shuttle bus drivers, Sakai had continued to drive. However, they noted that in the past one to two years, he had found driving medium-sized buses challenging and was subsequently switched to driving a minibus.

Following his arrest, Sakai admitted to charges including hit-and-run. Police are now investigating the underlying causes of the accident, which has deeply affected the local community. The incident highlights ongoing discussions about the capabilities of elderly drivers and road safety in Japan.