Original Source
Fatal Hit-and-Run in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture: Signatures Submitted Demanding Application of Dangerous Driving Causing Death
Case Overview and Investigation Progress
Last December, in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture, Kazuki Moriguchi was hit by a car while crossing a crosswalk on a green light on a national highway and died. The vehicle then fled the scene. Immediately after the incident, police arrested Sora Sakamoto, the defendant, near the scene on suspicion of drunk driving. Subsequently, the police rearrested Sakamoto on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death, stating that he was driving at over 100 km/h, disregarding a red light, when he struck Moriguchi.
Family's Petition and Statement
However, in January of this year, the prosecution indicted Sakamoto on charges of negligent driving causing death rather than dangerous driving causing death. In response, Moriguchi's family submitted approximately 47,000 signatures to the prosecution on the 25th, demanding that the charges be changed to dangerous driving causing death. Moriguchi's mother, Michiyo, expressed her anguish, stating, "When he was indicted, and the word 'negligence' came up, if that is not considered dangerous, then what is dangerous driving?" The family plans to submit further requests to the prosecution.
*Source: YouTube: 日テレNEWS (2026-03-25)*
