Chiba, Japan— An elderly pedestrian was fatally struck by a commercial delivery van at an intersection in Chiba on October 22, 2026.
The crash happened at 9:40 a.m. near a shopping district in Chiba City. The van was turning left from a main road onto a side street. The pedestrian, an 81-year-old man, was crossing with a green signal in the crosswalk, using a cane. The van’s front left corner hit him and threw him several meters.
Witnesses said the driver appeared to be checking his mirrors for cyclists and did not see the pedestrian until impact. A woman waiting to cross screamed. The van stopped immediately. The driver jumped out and called 119.
Paramedics arrived in eight minutes and found the man with severe head and chest injuries, unconscious, bleeding on the asphalt. They attempted CPR at the scene but pronounced him dead 25 minutes later. His body was covered with a blue sheet while police measured skid marks.
The driver, a 42-year-old employee of a logistics company, was detained for questioning on suspicion of negligent driving causing death. He told officers, “I was looking at the bike lane. I did not see him until he was in front of me. I braked but it was too late.”
The intersection has a history of left-turn accidents involving trucks and vans with blind spots. Residents said the crossing time is short for elderly walkers. City officials said a pedestrian island was planned but not yet built.
Police seized the van’s drive recorder and checked its speed and brake data. Early findings show the van was traveling at about 25 kilometers per hour at impact. The driver’s alcohol test was negative. The company said it will cooperate and review its safety training.
The victim lived nearby and was on his way to a clinic. His family has been notified. Traffic was diverted for two hours while investigators worked.
The case has been sent to prosecutors. The van remains impounded. The investigation continues.
Published by Banx Network. This article is part of the Banx decentralized media programme, powered by the BXE token on the XRP Ledger.
