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Care-Facility Shuttle Vans Collide in Ashikaga, Killing 85-Year-Old Passenger

Police are investigating the rear-end crash following the 29-year-old driver's report of an operational mistake.

Overview

  • The collision occurred around 1:30 p.m. on November 22 inside a care facility’s grounds in Oomachi, Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture.
  • Investigators say a trailing shuttle van struck a slower vehicle ahead, resulting in a rear-end crash.
  • The victim, identified as Miiko Shimoyama, 85, was conscious during transport but died at a hospital from hemorrhagic shock.
  • Both vehicles were one-box shuttle vans carrying facility users and staff, with five people in the striking van and six in the vehicle ahead.
  • The driver of the rear vehicle, a 29-year-old care worker, told police he made an erroneous driving operation as Ashikaga Police examine the circumstances.