TOKYO, JAPAN — Prosecutors in Japan have filed simplified charges against prominent actress Ryoko Hirosue, 45, following a high-speed rear-end collision on an expressway in April that seriously injured a male passenger. The Kakegawa District Public Prosecutors Office initiated the summary indictment on Wednesday, accusing Hirosue of violating the Automobile Driving Punishment Law (Negligent Injury). This legal action stems from an incident where the actress’s personal vehicle struck a large trailer on the Shin-Tomei Expressway in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The collision, which occurred on April 7 around 6:45 p.m., reportedly involved Hirosue driving at an excessive speed of approximately 185 kilometers per hour (about 115 miles per hour) in Kakegawa City. The impact caused a male passenger in her vehicle to suffer a fractured bone. The summary indictment, a streamlined procedure for less severe offenses where a quick resolution is sought without a full trial, was determined after evaluating several contributing factors.
Kenji Konagomitsu, deputy chief prosecutor for the Shizuoka Prefectural Public Prosecutors Office, stated that the decision to pursue a summary indictment was based on a comprehensive assessment of the circumstances. These considerations included the specific road conditions, the nature of the negligence, the wishes of the victim, and measures implemented by the accused to prevent future incidents.
Secondary Allegations Dropped
Significantly, prosecutors opted not to pursue charges related to a separate incident that occurred shortly after the accident. Following the crash, Hirosue was taken to a hospital in Shimada City. Reports circulated alleging that in the early hours of April 8, she was arrested by police on suspicion of assault after allegedly kicking a nurse multiple times at the medical facility. The prosecution decided to drop these specific allegations of causing injury to hospital staff.
The legal proceedings underscore the strict enforcement of traffic laws in Japan, especially concerning incidents involving gross negligence and potential public endangerment. The 185 kph speed cited in the indictment drastically exceeds standard Japanese expressway speed limits, which typically range between 100 to 120 kph.
Implications of Summary Indictment
A summary indictment generally results in an imposed fine rather than a prison sentence, provided the accused does not contest the charges. This method is often employed for minor criminal cases where the evidence is clear and the accused is deemed to have accepted responsibility. Had prosecutors proceeded with a formal indictment, Hirosue would have faced a full public trial, potentially leading to a more severe outcome.
The actress, who has had an extensive career across film and television, has not released a public statement regarding the current legal developments. While the summary proceeding aims for an expedited resolution, the outcome highlights the severe consequences of reckless driving, irrespective of an individual’s public profile. The incident resulted in significant physical injury to the passenger, demonstrating the critical importance of adhering to speed limits and exercising caution on public roadways.
