Police have arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Hansen in Okinawa Prefecture after allegedly fleeing the scene of a car crash that injured four people, including two elementary schoolchildren.
Lance Cpl. Ivan Garcia-Martinez was taken into custody Sunday by Okinawa Prefectural Police on suspicion of negligent driving resulting in injury in violation of the road traffic law.
He is accused of causing a collision on National Route 58 in the city of Naha around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and failing to provide assistance to the victims.
The suspect denied part of the allegations, according to police, telling investigators “It’s not true that I failed to help the injured.”
Garcia-Martinez’s breathalyzer test showed an alcohol level approximately twice the legal limit, police said. Authorities are considering additional charges related to drunk driving as the investigation continues.
According to police, Garcia-Martinez was driving a passenger car when he struck a water tank situated between the main road and a side road, then collided with another vehicle driven by a 39-year-old woman. Her husband, also 39, and their children — a 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son — were in the car and suffered minor injuries. Police allege the suspect left the scene without offering assistance.
Translated by The Japan Times
AloJapan.com