Police Arrest Bus Driver in Fatal Fukushima Highway Crash, Search Operator
Japanese police have arrested 68-year-old bus driver Tetsuo Wakayama on suspicion of negligent driving following a fatal crash on the Banetsu Expressway in Fukushima that killed a high school student and injured twenty others. The incident occurred when the bus, carrying members of Hokuetsu High School's tennis team, struck a guardrail. Investigators revealed that Wakayama was speeding at 90-100 km/h in an 80 km/h zone and lacked the necessary license for commercial passenger transport. Consequently, authorities searched the offices of the bus operator, Kanbara Tetsudo, in Niigata Prefecture. Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the hiring process; the company claimed a staff member hired Wakayama through an acquaintance without verifying his credentials, while the school denied requesting the bus arrangement. It was also disclosed that the staff member used their own license to rent the vehicle. Wakayama, a former municipal bus driver, confessed to misjudging his speed. The investigation continues to determine liability and potential violations related to unlicensed commercial operations.
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Police Arrest Bus Driver in Fatal Fukushima Highway Crash, Search Operator
Japanese police have arrested 68-year-old bus driver Tetsuo Wakayama on suspicion of negligent driving following a fatal crash on the Banetsu Expressway in Fukushima that killed a high school student and injured twenty others. The incident occurred when the bus, carrying members of Hokuetsu High School's tennis team, struck a guardrail. Investigators revealed that Wakayama was speeding at 90-100 km/h in an 80 km/h zone and lacked the necessary license for commercial passenger transport. Consequently, authorities searched the offices of the bus operator, Kanbara Tetsudo, in Niigata Prefecture. Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the hiring process; the company claimed a staff member hired Wakayama through an acquaintance without verifying his credentials, while the school denied requesting the bus arrangement. It was also disclosed that the staff member used their own license to rent the vehicle. Wakayama, a former municipal bus driver, confessed to misjudging his speed. The investigation continues to determine liability and potential violations related to unlicensed commercial operations.
The Mainichi