A truck driver believed to be responsible for the deaths of two elementary school children and injuring three others Monday has admitted he consumed alcohol during work before the accident, investigative sources have said.
Police on Tuesday searched the house and office of Hiroshi Umezawa, 60, who is suspected of negligent driving resulting in injury or death. Alcohol in excess of the legal limit was detected when he took a breathalyzer test after being arrested at the scene in Chiba Prefecture.
Police said it appeared he did not apply his brakes at the scene of the accident in the city of Yachimata, and that they are thinking of charging him with dangerous driving causing death or injury.