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Osaka taxi driver dies after cab struck by car chased by police

A cab driven by Harukichi Onishi was struck by a van at an intersection in Yodogawa Ward
A cab driven by Harukichi Onishi was struck by a van at an intersection in Yodogawa Ward

OSAKA (TR) – A 68-year-old taxi driver died early Thursday after his cab was struck a car being chased by police in Yodogawa Ward, reports Fuji News Network (June 3).

At approximately 1:20 a.m., a cab driven by Harukichi Onishi was struck in the front by a black van at an intersection, located in the Nonakaminami area. Onishi, who suffered severe injuries to his head, was transported to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The driver of the black van, Kunihiro Matsuiwa, a 45-year-old restaurant manager, fled the scene after the collision. The following afternoon, police arrested Matsuiwa after he turned himself in. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury.

“After the accident, I fled because I thought I’d get arrested,” the suspect is quoted by police in admitting to the allegations. “I heard the siren roar and I just lost my head.”

Prior to the incident, a patrol car began pursuing the vehicle driven by Matsuiwa due to suspicious behavior on the road. Onishi’s cab was struck just after the traffic signal turned green and he began moving forward.