千葉ちば 八街やまち 飲酒いんしゅ運転うんてんのトラックで児童じどう5人にん死傷ししょう事故じこから4年ねん

It has been four years as of the 28th since the accident in Yachimata City, Chiba Prefecture, where a truck driven under the influence of alcohol plowed into a group of elementary school children on their way home from school, resulting in five children being killed or injured.

At the accident site, people could be seen offering flowers and mourning the children who had passed away.

Four years ago on June 28th, in Yachimata City, a truck crashed into a line of elementary school students on their way home from school, resulting in the deaths of two children and serious injuries to three others.

The driver was convicted of causing death or injury by dangerous driving for drinking alcohol and then falling asleep at the wheel, and the sentence of 14 years in prison has been finalized.

Four years and 28 days have passed, and at the site of the accident, people were seen offering flowers in memory of the children who lost their lives.

A man in his 40s who came from Shizuoka Prefecture said, Its an unforgettable accident.

You shouldnt just dismiss it as someone elses problem, he said.

A man in his 50s who lives in the city also said, I still feel the same regret and anger as I did at the time of the accident.

I feel that we should be aware that cars can become deadly weapons when we drive, he said.

Also, at the Yachimata City Hall, staff members gathered and, just after 3:20 p.m. when the accident occurred, observed a one-minute silent prayer in accordance with the broadcast.

Mayor Shinji Kitamura said, When I think of the children and their families, my heart feels like its going to break, and I cant put it into words.

We would like to work together with relevant organizations to improve the safety of school routes and to eradicate drunk driving.

As a result of the accident, safety measures for school routes were reviewed nationwide, and according to the Cabinet Office, measures have been implemented in most locations where safety was deemed necessary.

On the other hand, there were still as many as 140 fatal accidents caused by drunk driving nationwide last year, so continued efforts toward eradication are needed.