Toyota sued over fatal accident caused by car defect

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, 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 asserted that his car suddenly accelerated without him pressing the accelerator. He also stated that he suffered injuries in the accident and was terrified by the car's speed, which exceeded 100 kilometers per hour. Additionally, he mentioned that losing his lawyer's license motivated him to file 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 the dismissal of the claim.

In February 2021, the Tokyo District Court determined that the accident was a result of Ishikawa mistakenly pressing the accelerator pedal, rather than a defect in the car. Ishikawa received a three-year suspended prison sentence, which was upheld by both the Tokyo High Court and the Supreme Court.

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

FutureCar Staff