TOKYO (TR) – A man in custody for stealing vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident on a street in Adachi Ward last month that left 14 people dead or injured has been rearrested for dangerous driving, reports Jiji Press (Dec. 15).
At around 12:30 p.m. on November 24, Yusuke Yokoo, 37, is suspected of entering an intersection with a red light at a speed of over 70 kilometers per hour on a street in Umejima, hitting and killing Testado Gladys Grace Lotaquio, a 28-year-old Filipino national. He then fled the scene.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of dangerous driving resulting in death and hit-and-run on Monday, Yokoo chose to remain silent, police said.
Stepped on the accelerator
According to police, Yokoo ran a red light and entered the crosswalk at a speed of approximately 70 kilometers per hour. He is believed to have stepped on the accelerator just before the collision, sending Testado flying approximately 15 meters.
Approximately two hours before the accident, Yokoo had stolen a car from a car dealership in Adachi Ward. He then headed north, stopping at a gas station in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture, before returning to the ward and being spotted by a patrol car. He was asked to stop but refused. He fled the scene for approximately 400 meters, ignoring two red lights, before causing the accident.
Yokoo was later arrested for stealing the vehicle involved in the incident from the dealership.
14 people killed or injured
To this point, police had not released Yokoo’s name while investigating whether he was criminally responsible, but they have now decided to make his name public. In doing so, the following factors were taken into account:
▼ Yokoo was able to communicate with police officers without any problems during questioning;
▼ Yokoo’s former medical treatment center stated that he was able to go out and engage in activities independently;
▼ Yokoo’s previous employer stated that he was working normally at the time;
Police initially stated that 11 people were killed or injured. However, subsequent investigations have revealed that the total was actually 14.
Kenji Sugimoto, 81, was also killed in the accident. The investigation is ongoing.
