Toyota sued by former Tokyo prosecutor over fatal accident

author: FutureCar Staff    

An 84-year-old former Tokyo prosecution unit head who was convicted of causing a fatal driving accident in 2018 has filed a lawsuit seeking 50 million yen (about $337,000) in damages from Toyota Motor Corp. and a car dealership, claiming that the crash was caused by a defect in his vehicle.

Tatsuhiro Ishikawa, the former head of the special investigation unit of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, was convicted of violating the law punishing acts causing death or injury while driving after his vehicle ran out of control on a street in Tokyo's Minato Ward in February 2018, resulting in the death of a 37-year-old male pedestrian.

In his complaint dated July 28, Ishikawa stated that his car suddenly moved forward without him stepping on the accelerator. He also mentioned that he himself was injured in the accident and expressed fear at the car's excessive speed, which was over 100 kilometers per hour. Losing his lawyer's license was cited as one of the reasons for filing the lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court.

During his criminal trial, Ishikawa pleaded not guilty, arguing that the accident was caused by a defect in his car. However, his plea was rejected. The first oral argument in the lawsuit was scheduled for September 21, and Toyota has submitted a written statement seeking dismissal of the claim.

In February 2021, the Tokyo District Court ruled that the accident was caused by Ishikawa mistakenly stepping on the accelerator pedal and not by a defect in the car. Ishikawa was sentenced to three years imprisonment, suspended for five years. This sentence was upheld by the Tokyo High Court and the Supreme Court.

(Japanese original by Kenji Tatsumi, Tokyo City News Department)

FutureCar Staff