84-year-old woman arrested for fatal hit-and-run, claims she mistook 86-year-old victim for stray dog
An 84-year-old woman in Japan has been arrested for a hit-and-run incident that killed an 86-year-old pedestrian.
She later claimed she believed she had struck a large stray dog instead of a person.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday evening (9 Feb) on a national highway in Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture.
Elderly driver hits elderly pedestrian
The 84-year-old driver struck the 86-year-old victim as the latter was crossing a pedestrian crossing without traffic signals just before 6.30pm.
Instead of stopping to offer help or report the accident, the driver fled the scene.
Source: TBS News
Passersby later discovered the elderly woman unconscious and called emergency services.
She was transported to the hospital but succumbed to a subarachnoid haemorrhage (a type of bleeding in the brain) and other head injuries.
Police use dashcam footage & debris to arrest suspect
Authorities launched an investigation and used security camera footage, dashcam footage from a nearby vehicle, and car parts left at the scene to identify the suspect.
She was arrested and is now facing charges of hit-and-run and negligent driving resulting in death.
Source: TV Asahi
During questioning, the driver admitted to causing the accident but denied knowing she had hit a person.
“There’s no doubt that I caused the accident,” she said. “But I thought I had hit a large stray dog.”
Also read: Man sent to hospital after hit-and-run accident with PMD in Yishun, police investigating
Man sent to hospital after hit-and-run accident with PMD in Yishun, police investigating
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Featured image adapted from TBS News and TV Asahi.Â
