Chiba City fatal collision: 3 dead after car and truck collide

A fatal collision occurred on National Route 357 in Chiba City's Chuo Ward at approximately 4:15 a.m. on September 29, 2026. A passenger car driven by a 19-year-old male collided head-on with a truck.

The impact caused the passenger car to catch fire, with witnesses describing flames roughly twice the height of the vehicle. The fire took approximately one hour and 15 minutes to extinguish. Three passengers in the car were confirmed dead at the scene.

Both the 19-year-old driver and the 57-year-old truck driver were transported to the hospital; neither is reported to be in critical condition. Chiba Prefectural Police are investigating the cause, focusing on the possibility that the passenger car drifted into the oncoming lane.