Drunk Driver Who Hit Four Elementary Schoolchildren and Fled Was Caught Driving Without a License While on Probation — “I Had Been Drinking Beer”

“I will never drive again”

“That is a fact. That is exactly what happened.”

The male defendant reportedly looked straight ahead as he admitted to the charges.

The first hearing of the trial of Chinese national Hongpeng Deng (44), a demolition worker charged with violating the Road Traffic Act (driving without a license), was held on September 3 at the Koshigaya Branch of the Saitama District Court. According to the indictment, Deng repeatedly drove without a license between May and June of this year, despite being on probation.

“Deng was also involved in an accident last May while driving an SUV (a luxury sport utility vehicle). He had been drinking alcohol as well. The SUV plowed into a group of elementary school children on their way home from school, leaving four of them with injuries ranging from minor to serious. At a trial held in November of the same year, Deng was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, suspended for four years.

After his license was revoked, Deng told the court that he would never drive again. Despite that, he repeatedly drove without a license, ultimately leading to these latest charges.” (A judicial affairs reporter for a national newspaper)

“FRIDAY Digital” previously reported in detail on the incident last May in which Deng injured four elementary school children while driving under the influence of alcohol. Here, we revisit the details of the accident and Deng’s shocking remarks.

“I Had Been Drinking Beer”

The man whose vehicle plowed into a group of elementary school children, injuring four of them to varying degrees, reportedly told police during questioning:

On May 18 last year, Yoshikawa Police Station of the Saitama Prefectural Police arrested Deng on suspicion of violating the Act on Punishment of Acts Inflicting Injury or Death by Driving a Motor Vehicle (negligent injury) and the Road Traffic Act (hit-and-run) after he allegedly struck the children and fled the scene.

“The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on May 14. A luxury SUV driven by Deng collided with a group of around 10 elementary school children who were on their way home from school. Four boys were injured, one of whom, an 11-year-old sixth grader at the time, suffered a serious injury—a fracture of the metatarsal bone in his right foot.

Deng briefly got out of the vehicle but failed to provide appropriate assistance and fled the scene, which was captured by security cameras and multiple dashcams. It was discovered that shortly before the incident, from around noon, Deng had been drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages at a Chinese restaurant in Misato City. It is believed that he fled the scene because he was afraid his drunk driving would be discovered.” (A social affairs reporter for a national newspaper)

“Because he said, ‘I’m fine'”

Four days after the incident, on May 18, Deng appeared at Yoshikawa Police Station accompanied by an acquaintance. After police learned that he had been drinking, the charges were changed to negligent injury and evading detection of the influence of alcohol. During questioning, Deng reportedly denied fleeing the scene, offering the following exasperating explanation:

“There is no question that I hit them, but the other party (the injured child) said, ‘I’m fine,’ so I simply left the scene.”

Traffic accident journalist Mika Yanagihara explains:

“Drunk driving is, of course, a serious crime. And when it also involves fleeing the scene, it is an extremely reprehensible act that carries severe penalties. If the victim receives prompt treatment, such as having an ambulance called, they may be saved, but fleeing the scene can delay medical assistance and put their life at risk.

I think it is extremely difficult to protect children from accidents caused by reckless drivers. Simply installing guardrails in front of schools would not accomplish very much. More comprehensive measures may be necessary, such as transporting children to and from school by school bus, as is done in the United States.”

As mentioned at the beginning, the defendant is scheduled to be questioned on November 10.