January 8 & 9, 2010
A U.S. soldier stationed in Okinawa was taken into Japanese custody on January 7 after being charged with negligence while driving that resulted in death.
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Police, Sergeant Clyde A. Gunn, 27, hit Masakazu Hokama early on the morning of November 7 while "driving inattentively" on a Yomitan village road at a speed of about 34 miles per hour.
Hokama sustained head injuries and died of a broken neck after smashing against the hood and windshield and landing on the roadside, according to the indictment.
Hokama’s body was found late on the afternoon of the same day by a passer-by.
Okinawa Police is also considering charging the U.S. soldier with failure to fulfill a driver’s duty to extend relief to the victim.
Gunn had been in U.S. military custody since he was identified as the driver of the car involved in the incident. In accordance with the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, he was transferred to the Naha Detention Center, where he will await trial.
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On January 8, police arrested Clyde A. Gunn on a hit-and-run charge.
- Akahata, January 8 & 9, 2010
Hokama sustained head injuries and died of a broken neck after smashing against the hood and windshield and landing on the roadside, according to the indictment.
Hokama’s body was found late on the afternoon of the same day by a passer-by.
Okinawa Police is also considering charging the U.S. soldier with failure to fulfill a driver’s duty to extend relief to the victim.
Gunn had been in U.S. military custody since he was identified as the driver of the car involved in the incident. In accordance with the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, he was transferred to the Naha Detention Center, where he will await trial.
* * *
On January 8, police arrested Clyde A. Gunn on a hit-and-run charge.
- Akahata, January 8 & 9, 2010
