The SUV that caused tha fatal accident in Tagajo, Miyagi Prefecture

Hikaru Sato, the 26-year-old driver of the SUV, was arrested on suspicion of negligence resulting in death and injury.

Police quoted Sato as saying he was on his way home after drinking at a restaurant in Sendai. He told police at the scene he had "nodded off."

Those killed in the early morning accident were identified as Hajime Saito, Megumi Hosoi and Akane Misawa, all 15-year-old students in their first year at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School.

According to the police, Sato's SUV slammed into the right side of the second vehicle, which was waiting for the students to cross the street before making a left turn.

Four people sustained serious injuries, including a female student who suffered broken ribs, while 18 other people, including the driver of the second car and a male passenger in Sato's SUV, sustained minor injuries, they said.

The students were among 500 first-year high-school students taking part in a walking rally.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 28, 2005
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