How Did a 7-Year Sentence Become Final After a Smartphone Crash Killed 6 People in Japan?
Quick answer: A 55-year-old former lorry driver who killed six people while looking at her smartphone on the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Japan will serve seven years in prison. She did not appeal her sentence by the 4 November deadline, and it became final on 5 November 2026.
Key facts
- What: Three-vehicle pile-up after a lorry rear-ended a car stopped in congestion
- Where: Shin-Meishin Expressway, Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture, Japan
- When: Early morning, about 2 a.m., 20 March 2026
- Toll: 6 killed
- Sentence: 7 years' imprisonment (the statutory maximum), Tsu District Court, 20 October 2026
- Finalised: 5 November 2026 — no appeal by the 4 November deadline
- Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 119 (ambulance)
- Status: Case closed — the sentence is final
What happened
In the early morning of 20 March 2026, about 2 a.m., the 55-year-old woman was driving a large lorry on the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture. She had been looking at her smartphone screen for more than 10 seconds — taking a screenshot of a video she was watching — and did not check the road ahead.
Travelling at about 82 km/h, she noticed the car stopped in congestion ahead only about 9.4 metres in front of her. She braked sharply but still rear-ended the car, and a large cargo vehicle stopped ahead was also involved, causing a three-vehicle pile-up.
Who died
Six people died: a family of five from Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture, who were travelling in the car, and the male driver of the large cargo vehicle.
The trial
On 20 October 2026, Tsu District Court in Mie Prefecture sentenced the driver to seven years' imprisonment — the statutory maximum — for negligent driving resulting in death, as requested by the prosecution.
The court said the six people who died bore no blame at all, and that the accident was truly horrific and the result too painful and grave. The judges took account of mitigating factors: compensation was expected to be paid through the insurer, with unlimited personal cover; she had admitted the facts and shown remorse; and she had no previous convictions and no significant traffic violation history.
The sentence becomes final
Neither side appealed by the 4 November deadline, so the seven-year sentence became final. The finalisation was reported on 5 November 2026 by Shizuoka Asahi TV.
Where it happened
The crash happened on the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Kameyama City, in Mie Prefecture, in Japan. The family who died in the car were from Fukuroi City in Shizuoka Prefecture. The emergency numbers in Japan are 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance.
Source: Yahoo! Japan / Shizuoka Asahi TV — https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b3b76f29144eea862ab338d61ab0dcfb3f5cc28b
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Shin-Meishin Expressway crash?
Six people died: a family of five from Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture, who were in the car, and the male driver of a large cargo vehicle.
What caused the crash?
The lorry driver was looking at her smartphone screen for more than 10 seconds while travelling at about 82 km/h, and did not check the road ahead. She noticed the car stopped in congestion only about 9.4 metres ahead and could not stop in time.
What was the sentence?
Seven years' imprisonment — the statutory maximum — handed down by Tsu District Court on 20 October 2026 for negligent driving resulting in death.
When did the sentence become final?
The driver did not appeal by the 4 November deadline, so the sentence became final. It was reported on 5 November 2026.
What are the emergency numbers in Japan?
Dial 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance.
In this story
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