Four vehicles collided on a national highway in Yakumo-cho, Hokkaido, on May 7 [1].
The accident highlights the danger of mechanical failure on curved road sections where drivers have limited time to react to erratic vehicle movements.
According to reports, the collision occurred on a gentle curve of the highway [1]. The crash began when the front-right tire of an SUV detached, causing the vehicle to wobble and strike an oncoming van [1, 2]. This initial impact triggered a chain reaction involving two other vehicles, a truck and another oncoming car [1, 2].
Two people were injured in the crash, though no fatalities were reported [1]. The vehicles involved included the SUV, a one-box van, a truck, and a fourth vehicle [2].
The driver of a four-ton truck involved in the accident provided a statement to reporters. He said he noticed the SUV wobbling before it collided with the oncoming vehicle. He said that the oncoming Hiace van then came toward him, resulting in a significant impact [1].
Local authorities investigated the scene in Yakumo-cho, where the highway consists of a single lane at the site of the curve [1, 2]. The detachment of the SUV tire is cited as the primary cause of the multi-vehicle accident [2].
“Two people were injured in the crash, though no fatalities were reported.”
This incident underscores the critical role of vehicle maintenance in road safety, particularly on single-lane highways. Because the collision occurred on a curve, the loss of a tire created an immediate and unpredictable hazard that removed the possibility of evasive maneuvers for oncoming traffic.
