“I Wasn’t Even Driving”: Osaka Woman’s Bizarre 35-Minute Spree of 8 Hit-and-Runs Leaves City Stunned

In an incident that defies logic and mirrors chaotic video game antics, a 47-year-old woman in Osaka caused eight separate traffic accidents in just 35 minutes on January 19, fleeing each scene before finally being apprehended by police. The string of collisions—which included cars, pedestrians, a scooter, a motorcyclist, and even a wall—has left authorities and witnesses questioning how such a reckless spree was possible on one of Osaka’s most straightforward roads.

The Unfolding Chaos

The woman’s rampage began at 7:00 a.m. on Shin-Midosuji Street, a wide, straight arterial road in northern Osaka. Over the next 35 minutes, she collided with:

• Three cars (driven by men aged 46, 49, and 60) in quick succession, fleeing each time.
• A 49-year-old woman on a scooter at 7:13 a.m., followed by two pedestrians—a 57-year-old man and an 82-year-old senior—within the next eight minutes.
• A wall and a 33-year-old motorcyclist by 7:35 a.m., when police finally intercepted her.

Remarkably, she averaged one collision every 4.4 minutes while traversing a route that typically takes 29 minutes without disruptions. “She made surprisingly good time,” one report dryly noted.

Denial Amid Destruction

Despite causing mayhem, the woman exhibited a startling disconnect from reality. When questioned, she insisted, “I am not driving dangerously enough to cause an accident” and even claimed, “I am not driving a car.” Police confirmed she was sober, deepening the mystery behind her actions.

Public Reaction: “Like a Video Game Gone Wrong”

The incident sparked comparisons to open-world video games, with online commentators quipping:

• “I’d totally do that in a game, but not real life.”
• “That’s exactly how I play Mario Kart.”
• “The fact that she was sober is even more frightening.”

Others grimly noted the statistical absurdity: Japan averages one traffic accident every two minutes nationwide. For 35 minutes, this woman single-handedly matched half the country’s accident rate.

Aftermath and Questions

While the two pedestrians and motorcyclist sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the psychological toll on victims remains a concern. The woman’s Nissan Juke—described as “half gone” after the collisions—now stands as a twisted testament to her spree.

Authorities have yet to determine a motive, though speculation ranges from medical episodes to sheer recklessness. One commenter pondered whether her denial was a “defense mechanism in the brain,” while another joked, “Is that a world record?”

For now, Osaka residents are left grappling with a surreal reality: a driver who turned a routine morning commute into a scene straight out of Grand Theft Auto—and still insists she wasn’t behind the wheel.