Car Plows Into Kanetsu Expressway Roadwork Site, Killing Two Workers — 29-Year-Old Iranian Man Arrested in Saitama
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
A passenger car entered a nighttime roadwork site on the outbound lane of the Kanetsu Expressway in Namegawa, Saitama Prefecture, killing two workers who were on the job there. According to Kyodo News and other outlets, Saitama Prefectural Police arrested the 29-year-old Iranian national driver on September 26, 2026 on suspicion of violating the Automobile Driving Punishment Act (negligent driving resulting in death).
The site had coned-off lanes set up for nighttime construction work, and the suspect's car is believed to have entered the restricted section, striking the two workers who were on duty there. The suspect initially said, "There's no doubt I hit someone," but after his arrest changed his statement to, "I have nothing to say right now."
Current status: The precise circumstances of the accident and whether the lane closure and signage were properly set up remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Regarding negligent-driving fatalities involving foreign national drivers, the first hearing for a Turkish national's trial over a fatal accident in Kawaguchi, Saitama was held in July 2026. Related article
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.