Dump truck smashes into cars and family restaurant in Toyama; one dead

Tuesday 09th December, 10:21 AM JST

TOYAMA —

A dump truck hit three cars waiting at the traffic lights of an intersection on Route 8 in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, and then smashed into the wall of a family restaurant on the corner, killing one man, on Sunday, police said Monday.

The car waiting at the front of the lights was crushed and the driver, Hiroshi Yoshihisa, 39, is believed to have died instantly. The drivers of the other two cars were not injured nor were any staff or customers in the Yumean family restaurant in the accident which happened about 3 p.m., police said.

Hiroyuki Sakamata, 61, the driver of the dump truck, was arrested at the scene and his charge later upgraded to vehicular manslaughter. He was quoted by police as saying: “I was traveling through the intersection, and turned sharply to avoid a car coming from the opposite direction turning right into the intersection.”

Latest 15 of 24 Total Comments Show All

CaptDingleheimer at 12:14 PM JST - 9th December

Big trucks are a hazard on Japanese roads. They drive like maniacs, and they tailgate little cars that would get squashed if they hit their brakes. I think the problem is that they get paid by the load, not by the hour. Also, the highway tolls are so high that they're all on roads through town.
jacqueshellacque at 12:17 PM JST - 9th December

Sorry...that's not route 157, it's Route 160 that passes Futagami and goes onto Himi.
Disillusioned at 12:23 PM JST - 9th December

These dump truck drivers are suicide jockies! They drive at excessive speeds and their attitude towards other drivers sux! This guy was obviously flying through the intersection with complete disregard to anything going on. It's about time the J-cops started cracking down on these kamikaze dump truck drivers. Their number plates and lights are usually obscured by dirt and they don't give a damn about anybody else on the road.
electric2004 at 12:44 PM JST - 9th December

Why does a dump track need to hurry? It is not that he is carrying precious goods with a "best use before" date, isn't it?
Honen at 01:18 PM JST - 9th December

It probably wasn't a dump truck. In all likelihood, it was a "dump".
irishhighlander at 01:18 PM JST - 9th December

Having lived in Toyama for 4 years, I can say they are the worst drivers in all of Japan. The truck driver was probobly not drunk but stupid. I had one truck driver pull out in front of my car without looking. I nearly had my car blown up as it just missed the gas tank. Everyone there drives like a bat out of h*ll, and since its mostly a country area, they tend to ignore stop lights. The intersection where it happened is like a truck stop area. Lots of restaurants and it has four routes coming into it at crazy angles. Route 8 is a 4 lane highway, and people drive way over the speed limit. I feel sorry for the guy in the first line. I was in the same situation so many times and had so many close calls. My wife worked for a car insurance company and she also had to renew her drivers liscence. Toyama ranks as the WORST place for accidents in all of Japan! And that was a fact the traffic center pointed out.
Spidey at 01:23 PM JST - 9th December

If what he said is true "I was traveling through the intersection, and turned sharply to avoid a car coming from the opposite direction turning right into the intersection." then he is not the one at fault. The idiot driver that cut him off is the one that should be charged. And considering how many j-drivers pay little heed when going through intersections, I would tend to believe the truck driver.

Again...why accidents are treated as criminal cases in this country is simply beyond comprehension.

S
likeitis at 01:33 PM JST - 9th December

Having lived in Toyama for 4 years, I can say they are the worst drivers in all of Japan.

You can say whatever you want. But until you have lived in ALL of Japan you should refrain from jumping to this sort of conclusion.
dennis0bauer at 02:38 PM JST - 9th December

Spidey we do not knwow that, if he had crashed in that car then the guilty party would have been clear, or maybe he had just had to use his brakes? (or did he forgot he had them?)
flammenwerfer at 02:40 PM JST - 9th December

a dump trucks driver likely get paid per load or tonne, so the more he dumps, the more he gets paid and the more his drives like a lunatic.
WilliB at 03:47 PM JST - 9th December

I wonder of the drivers of the waiting cars were also arrested for negligent driving... isn´t that the standard procedure here?
WilliB at 03:49 PM JST - 9th December

Disillusioned:

" It's about time the J-cops started cracking down on these kamikaze dump truck drivers. "

No way, they are much too busy checking registration numbers on charinko bicycles.
ptolemy at 04:20 PM JST - 9th December

Sounds to me like he may have been speeding, excessively speeding.
irishhighlander at 04:38 PM JST - 9th December

likeitis, that was fact which my wife was told by the lecture in Toyama. Im not just bad mouthing Toyama, or saying other areas of Japan are less safe. Have you yourself driven in Japan? I dont understand why Japanese drivers insist on running lights, cutting off people or not paying attention. In other countries, law enforcement enforce traffic laws. In Japan, well,,,,
BBLeo at 06:28 PM JST - 9th December

That is OK, the restaurant could have free dump collection. Perhaps driver was going fast to reach his bonus for quick collection. Many drivers in Japan are in a hurry to reach their destination, because they get up late in the morning or due to drugs and alcohol.