Hokkaido police arrested a 31-year-old man Monday for allegedly hitting four women while driving a recreational vehicle near a beach in Otaru, Hokkaido, killing three of them before he fled the scene.

Masahide Kaizu of Sapporo was arrested on suspicion of hitting the women as they walked down a road near a swimming beach in Otaru.

He reportedly admitted causing the crash when he was driving alone and looking at his mobile phone. Prior to the crash, police allege, he had been drinking at the beach for about 12 hours along with some other people.