Two Men Arrested in Hit-and-Run Drank for Two Hours Before Incident at Chinese Restaurant

May 19, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Four elementary school boys were injured in a hit-and-run incident in Misato, Saitama Prefecture, after two Chinese nationals—later arrested—had spent about two hours drinking at a Chinese restaurant prior to the crash.

Deng Hongpeng, a 42-year-old Chinese national living in Misato, is suspected of driving an SUV under the influence of alcohol and hitting four sixth-grade boys in the Misato Chuo area around 4 p.m. on May 14th, then fleeing the scene. The boys sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.

Another man, 25-year-old Chinese national Wang Hongli, who was in the front passenger seat at the time, is also under suspicion for knowingly riding in the vehicle with Deng despite his intoxicated state.

According to investigators, the two men had been drinking together at a Chinese restaurant located about three kilometers from the accident site and near Deng’s residence, from around 1:30 p.m. for approximately two hours—up until just before the incident occurred.

During questioning, Deng admitted to drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident, including how much alcohol the men consumed.

Source: TBS

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