KYOTO (Kyodo) A car ran onto a sidewalk along a busy central Kyoto street Sunday morning, seriously injuring a 33-year-old woman and leaving seven others — including a 1-year-old girl — with minor injuries, police said.
The driver, Jiro Onaka, 64, was arrested at the scene.
The police said Onaka, who manages his company's parking lot, told officers he doesn't know what happened.
The car went onto the sidewalk at around 11:20 a.m. in Shimogyo Ward where Karasuma Street intersects with Shijo Street, the police said.
Witnesses said the car hit several people in succession at a speed of about 30 kph and finally came to a rest after slamming into a tobacco store.
All of the victims were taken to hospitals. The 33-year-old woman, of Shimogyo Ward, suffered a broken leg.
The accident site is in a busy area packed with shops and restaurants. Tourists, including those from abroad, often walk through the area.
Officials of the company where Onaka works said he is a very good driver.
"I wonder why this happened," one official said.
