Man arrested over hit-and-run death of 82-year-old cyclist in Funabashi

Thursday 03rd July, 10:13 AM JST

CHIBA —

Police said Wednesday they have arrested a 45-year-old man over the hit-and-run death of a 82-year-old man on a bicycle on Tuesday night in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture. The man turned himself at a local police station Wednesday morning, police said.

Masami Shishido, 45, was arrested for allegedly hitting Hiroshi Tanaka, 82, with his car on the street around 7:50 p.m. when the victim was crossing the street on his bicycle. The victim was taken to hospital but died of severe head injuries.

Shishido was quoted by police as saying, “I fled the accident scene because I was scared I would lose my job if I was involved in an accident. But I thought I couldn’t run away after I saw the news.”

Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

Spidey at 01:45 PM JST - 2nd July

Agreed. The driver should have stopped. But I can't help but think that it was probably the old man that was at most fault. More times than I can count have I seen cyclists of all ages give little thought to how they ride. This is a well known reality to anyone who lives in Japan. Japanese have this innate sense of invincibility whenever they take to the roads whether by foot, car or two-wheeled transport.

Always expect the unexpected while driving in Japan.

S
Speed at 05:05 PM JST - 2nd July

None of you commenting have any idea how this happened, but yet seem to "know" it was the 82 year olds fault because "they" don't ride in straight lines, ride against traffic, etc. You're all talking out of your butts. An old man got hit and was left to die on the road. That's all you know.
Nessie at 05:35 PM JST - 2nd July

Hope I'm still riding when I'm in my eighties. Hope I'm still riding safely.
stanoue at 09:23 PM JST - 2nd July

Hey - lots of 82 year olds still have their wits (and coordination) about them! This is why I am all for cycle lanes and/or cycling on the footpaths - and cycle helmets.
jonobugs at 09:28 PM JST - 2nd July

Yup, Speed beat me to the punch. Ditto...what he said.
romulus3 at 11:55 PM JST - 2nd July

I going with senile old man on this. I saw an Obasan walking into traffic on an s-bend, in the middle of the on coming lane, and an amazing trucker who obviously knows to go wide and keep your eyes wide open on corners, narrowly avoid her. he didn't change face expression and she never bat an eye. Romulus was agape but as we know, if the trucker cleaned her out then he was going to jail for negligence and if he had a family, they weren't eating for a few years so thats why people hit and run in japan. well that and that some of them are tanked.
serindipity at 08:49 AM JST - 3rd July

serindipity - You feel sorry for the driver who hit the old man and left him to die?

Yep! I don't condone the fact he or she left the scene, of course, but the person responsible has had their life destroyed by what is 'more than likely to be' an error of judgment by the an 82 year old who should not have been riding a bicycle on a busy main road in the first place. Also, the articles states he was riding his bicycle across the road. They are supposed to walked across roads. error in judgment #1.
Richard_the_First at 10:26 AM JST - 3rd July

Riding against traffic is the biggest problem. Suicidal!
quato at 10:31 AM JST - 3rd July

Maybe he was drunk and wanted to sober up before going to the koban? If your choices are: a)sticking around the crimescene when you're pissdrunk b)showing up sober the next day and admitting to the hit-and-run and apologizing/bowing many will go with (b)
TJrandom at 10:38 AM JST - 3rd July

Serindipity,

They are supposed to walked across roads

I had heard that before, at least as far as crosswalks are involved, but in my search for the applicable Road Traffic Law, could not confirm this. Are you sure that this is in the law?
serindipity at 02:37 PM JST - 3rd July

Are you sure that this is in the law?

Nope! I'm not sure it's in the law, but it is what they teach the kids in elementary school. Just like, don't run across the road, but how many times have you seen a mother running across a busy street with two or three kids in tow.
benjie at 06:28 PM JST - 3rd July

And his death could have possibly been avoided if he were wearing a helmet...

nuff said
Richard_the_First at 08:05 PM JST - 3rd July

Helmets and Japan don't really go together though.
jonobugs at 11:00 PM JST - 3rd July

Bicycles follow the same rules of the road as cars. As far as I know, it's not required for a car owner to get out and cross the road by foot.

There are still no details as to what occurred and it's a bit presumptuous, not to mention ageist, to presume that because the man was 82 that he did not have full facilities of his mind and body.

I have met many older people in Japan and after talking with them learned that they were into their late 70s and seemed very lively.

I do feel badly for the car driver as well, since he obviously didn't intend to hit anyone. It's one of the dangers and pitfalls to driving a car.
Richard_the_First at 04:37 PM JST - 4th July

Cyclist follow their own rules, though the highway code requires them to follow the rule of law. Not driving on the left is dangerous. Driving the wrong way down one way streets is dangerous. Jumping between road and pavement without checking is dangerous.