Three women died Sunday morning when their minivehicle burst into flames after a head-on collision with a car in Sagara, Shizuoka Prefecture, police said.
According to investigators, the accident took place at around 11:20 a.m. The man driving the other vehicle, Michihisa Sasanoi, 44, of Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, sustained a minor injury. He was arrested on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death.
The three women were identified as Sakae Enokida, 60, her mother-in-law Tomo, 86, and her daughter-in-law Kumiko, 30.
Police said the accident took place on a two-lane stretch of road and visibility was good. Sasanoi apparently swerved into the opposite lane, they said.