Premier League star avoids criminal charges after accident with cyclist
Brighton winger and Japan international Kaoru Mitoma will not face criminal prosecution following a road accident that left a female cyclist injured.
The incident took place on July 8 in Tokyo. According to Japanese media reports, the 29-year-old footballer collided with a cyclist at an intersection while driving. The victim, a 48-year-old woman, was taken to hospital with injuries to her arms.
The Tokyo Prosecutor's Office considered charging Mitoma with inflicting bodily harm through dangerous driving. However, after a thorough investigation, authorities decided to drop all criminal charges.
Investigators determined that both parties had violated traffic regulations—both the driver and the cyclist entered the intersection on a red light. This, along with other evidence gathered, formed the basis for closing the case.
Mitoma is currently continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the World Cup with the Japanese national team.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
