Kaoru Mitoma, a 29-year-old winger for English club Brighton, is facing an investigation following a traffic accident in Tokyo where he struck a female cyclist.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning as Mitoma, who missed the World Cup due to an injury, reportedly ran a red light, mistaking the pedestrian signal for the green light for vehicles.
The 48-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for examination but appears to have sustained no serious injuries.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has initiated an inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Investigation into Kaoru Mitoma’s Traffic Accident
According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, Mitoma checked on the woman immediately after the collision and cooperated with law enforcement officers who arrived at the scene.
Mitoma’s representatives issued a statement expressing sincere apologies for the distress caused to the injured party and all involved in the accident. They emphasized that Mitoma is taking the incident seriously and feels sympathy and remorse for the victim.
The statement further noted that the injured person was treated at a medical facility and diagnosed with bruises, while Mitoma himself was unhurt. They promised to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Furthermore, they assured that they are taking this matter seriously and will fully cooperate with the authorities’ investigation, while also striving to promote safe driving awareness and strengthen compliance education to prevent such incidents in the future.
