A U.S. Navy sailor is under investigation in connection with a pedestrian injury in February in Yokosuka city, Japan. (Vecteezy)
Japanese authorities are investigating a U.S. Navy sailor suspected of injuring an 87-year-old Japanese man crossing a Yokosuka city street last month, according to the city and the Navy.
City authorities allege the sailor, identified only as a noncommissioned officer, was turning right in his vehicle at a T-intersection at 11:10 a.m. Feb. 11 in the Fukadadai district when he struck the pedestrian, according to a statement posted on the city’s website Wednesday. The collision broke the man’s left leg, according to the post.
The sailor is affiliated with Yokosuka Naval Base, and the Navy is cooperating with local authorities, base spokesman Justin Keller wrote in an email Thursday to Stars and Stripes. He declined to identify the sailor, his rank or his unit.
“It would be inappropriate to comment any further as this incident is under investigation,” he wrote.
The South Kanto Defense Bureau, an arm of Japan’s Ministry of Defense, reported the incident to the city at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the city’s website.
“Given the delay in providing information about this incident, the city asked the government to share information quickly in future cases,” the post states. “Also, the city requested the headquarters of Yokosuka Naval Base to ensure thorough traffic safety education and to provide sincere compensation to the victims.”
U.S. officials told the defense bureau the sailor was not under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred, a bureau spokeswoman said by phone Thursday. Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.
Kanagawa Prefectural Police acknowledged a phone call and emailed questions from Stars and Stripes on Thursday but did not immediately provide responses.
Police are investigating the incident for possible charges on Japan’s law against inflicting death or injury with a motor vehicle, according to a report Wednesday from Tokyo Broadcasting System Television.
The man’s pelvis and a bone in his knee were broken; the sailor was not on duty at the time, according to the TV report.
