Former truck driver sentenced to 20 years in prison in second trial for dangerous driving that killed 3 people in Isesaki - Tokyo High Court

On the 5th, the Tokyo High Court handed down an appeals court ruling for Goro Suzuki (72), a former driver who was charged with violating the Motor Vehicle Driving Punishment Act (dangerous driving resulting in death or injury) for driving a truck drunk in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture in 2024 and killing three family members in an oncoming vehicle. Presiding Judge Takeshi Irie upheld the Maebashi District Court's lay judge judgment of the first trial, which found him guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison, and dismissed the defense's appeal.

Presiding Judge Irie pointed out that the trial court's ruling that the driver had suddenly swerved under the influence of alcohol before the accident was ``not unreasonable,'' rejecting the defense's argument that it was an error in judgment. The judge then stated, ``Despite the fact that he was required to be extremely careful as a professional driver, he repeatedly drove drunk based on his desires. This is extremely malicious,'' and concluded that the maximum legal penalty, 20 years in prison, was appropriate.

According to the first and second instance rulings, in May 2024, Suzuki was drunk when he drove at 90 km/h on a national highway in Isesaki City, crossed the median and collided with two oncoming cars. Masahiro Tsukagoshi, then 53, his son Hiroto, 26, and grandson Minato, 2, who were riding in the van, were killed.