TOKYO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese Cabinet Office vehicle was traveling at an estimated 130 km per hour when it ran a red light and slammed into other cars at an intersection in central Tokyo earlier this month, killing one person and injuring six others, police said on Thursday.
Analysis of vehicle data showed that the car was traveling at more than twice the 60-km-per-hour legal speed limit in the area, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said.
The crash, involving six vehicles, occurred on Jan. 22 at an intersection in the Akasaka district of Minato Ward. A 32-year-old taxi passenger was killed after suffering a severe head injury in the collision. Police initially said eight people were injured but later confirmed six had sustained injuries.
The government car was believed to have been involved in the crash roughly 30 seconds after leaving the prime minister's official residence, national broadcaster NHK reported, citing an investigative source.
The car, driven by a 69-year-old contracted worker, likely entered the intersection 68 seconds after the traffic light turned red, the source said.
Police are planning to question the driver after he recovers from injuries in a possible case of dangerous driving resulting in death and injury. ■