Additional Charges May Be Considered in Fatal Traffic Accident Involving Pregnant Woman

A trial has begun on September 2 at the Ichinomiya Branch of the Nagoya District Court, concerning a tragic traffic accident that claimed the life of a pregnant woman and severely injured her newborn. The accused driver, Naoko Chigono, 50, has admitted to charges of death by negligent driving following the incident on May 21, where she fatally struck pedestrian Sayaka Togitani, 31, who was pregnant at the time.

Sayaka was transported to a hospital after the collision but succumbed to her injuries. Her baby, Hinami, was delivered via emergency C-section but is experiencing significant health issues, unable to breathe independently and reliant on a ventilator. During the trial, prosecutors indicated their intent to further investigate the ramifications of Hinami's conditions, including potential disabilities, and requested a deferment of the trial for two to three months to evaluate the possibility of additional charges against Chigono for her actions resulting in the injuries to the fetus.

Chigono affirmed her accountability in court, stating, "I'm responsible for everything" and expressed her readiness to face any penalties associated with both Sayaka and Hinami's cases. Yudai Togitani, Sayaka's husband, revealed that the accident has left Hinami with severe disabilities due to brain damage. In response to the situation, Yudai has rallied public support, presenting a petition with over 112,000 signatures urging prosecutors to pursue an indictment against Chigono for negligent driving concerning Hinami's injuries.

Yudai emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the legal responsibilities towards fetuses and stated that without public advocacy, the case might not have seen this level of scrutiny. Ryoji Mori, the family's lawyer, voiced optimism that the prosecution would secure an additional indictment, asserting that failure to punish negligent drivers could leave children like Hinami vulnerable without legal protection. Under Japanese criminal law, fetuses are often viewed as part of the mother, complicating efforts to classify them as separate victims; however, there have been instances where legal action has been taken regarding injuries inflicted on fetuses during vehicular accidents.