At 1:15 pm on July 16th,�singer�Hayami Kentaro (49) struck a 78 year-old female with his car as she was crossing a pedestrian walkway in Kawagoe City, Saitama. �Thereafter, at approximately 12:05 am on the 17th, a local hospital confirmed the woman's death.

According to the Kawagoe City police department, the accident�occurred as�Hayami was making a right turn at a traffic light. �The woman was walking along the pedestrian crossing when she was struck by Hayami's vehicle.

Reportedly, Hayami was on his way to work. �He told police that he was looking away from the intersection, as� his attention was on the passenger seat. �The police department is currently questioning Hayami for suspicion of negligent driving resulting in injury and death.

Hayami was popular on NHK's children's program 'Okaasan to Issho' as an Uta no Onii-san (a singing character), and he is well-known for his big hit song, "Dango 3 Kyoudai".

Be sure to check back, as tokyohive obtains more details of this unfortunate incident.

Source & Image: Sanspo