How Did a 90-Year-Old Woman Die and a 22-Year-Old Get Arrested in a Two-Car Crash in Ashibetsu?

Quick answer: A 90-year-old woman died after two passenger cars collided on a national highway in Ashibetsu, Hokkaido, on the afternoon of 8 October 2026. Takikawa police arrested the 22-year-old driver of the other car on 9 October on suspicion of negligent homicide, the Hokkaido Shimbun reported.

Key facts

• What: Two-car collision (road accident)
• Where: National highway, Horonai, Ashibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
• Reported: 10 October 2026, via Hokkaido Shimbun
• Reported toll: 1 dead
• Emergency number: 110 (police) / 119 (ambulance)
• Status: developing

What happened

Around 2:50pm on 8 October 2026, two passenger cars collided on a national highway in Horonai, Ashibetsu. A 90-year-old woman from Asahikawa, who was driving one of the cars, died in the crash.

The driver of the other car, a 22-year-old man from Fukagawa, was arrested on 9 October by Takikawa police on suspicion of violating the Motor Vehicle Driving Punishment Act (negligent homicide).

Police investigation

Takikawa police are investigating the circumstances. Arrests on suspicion of negligent homicide are standard in Japan when a driver is believed to have caused a fatal crash through careless driving.

Frequently asked questions

### How many died? One — a 90-year-old woman driving one of the two cars.

Was anyone arrested?

Yes. The 22-year-old driver of the other car was arrested on 9 October on suspicion of negligent homicide.

Emergency number in Japan?

110 (police) / 119 (ambulance). Full list: emergency numbers

*Developing story; figures may change.*

Source: Hokkaido Shimbun — 10 October 2026