Two people die in ‘heartbreaking’ fiery crash in northeast Japan, including a US pilot

Misawa Air Base is home to the 35th Fighter Wing in northeastern Japan. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO – Two people were killed, including a U.S. soldier, and a third person was injured in a serious car accident over the weekend near Misawa Air Base in northeastern Japan.

The 35th Fighter Wing in Misawa confirmed that a pilot was killed in the crash at 4:40 a.m. Sunday morning. The squadron has not released the name of the deceased until next of kin have been notified, according to an email sent to Stars and Stripes on Monday.

“While the accident investigation is ongoing, any loss of life here at Misawa Air Base is a tragedy,” said squadron spokesman Captain LeeRoy Stark. “We are working closely with our partners off base to clean up the aftermath of this heartbreaking crash.”

The car crashed into the garage of a house in the city of Misawa, the website Too Nippo reported on Sunday. The impact sparked a fire that destroyed the garage.

An ambulance took the injured occupant of the car to a local hospital, according to sources at the scene of the accident.

According to Too Nippo’s report, Misawa police were investigating the cause of the accident.

“The situation is currently under investigation and further information will be provided as it becomes available,” the wing said.