Shizuoka, Japan—Traffic stalled on the Tomei Expressway on July 7, 2026, following a high-speed collision that left three people injured. The accident occurred during the peak of morning travel. Multiple vehicles piled up in the center lane. The force of the impact left mangled metal across the roadway.

Shizuoka Prefectural Police arrived at the scene within minutes. They found a sedan crushed between two larger transport vehicles. The impact shattered windshields and spilled fluids onto the asphalt. Emergency medical crews transported the injured to a nearby regional hospital.

Reports indicate that one victim remains in critical condition. The other two sustained broken bones and head trauma. Police blocked off the section of the expressway to clear the wreckage. Commuters faced significant delays as traffic diverted to local routes.

Investigators from the traffic division walked the site of the crash. They measured skid marks stretching across the road surface. They documented the resting positions of every vehicle involved. Tire debris littered the lanes for nearly fifty meters.

The cause of the initial impact remains unknown. Witnesses told police they saw the lead vehicle brake suddenly. Following cars failed to slow down in time. The chain reaction lasted only seconds.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the weather was clear at the time. Visibility was not an issue during the morning hours. Investigators are now checking electronic logs from the trucks involved. They aim to determine if speed or distraction played a role.

Heavy machinery arrived at noon to remove the damaged cars. Crews worked quickly to scrape oil and glass from the pavement. The flow of traffic resumed slowly after several hours.

Police continue to question the drivers involved in the wreck. They issued a warning to drivers regarding safe following distances on the highway. No arrests were made by the end of the day.