MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Japanese police have accused an officer assigned to Misawa’s 35th Medical Group of fleeing the scene of an accident.

Capt. Paul Miller, 43, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and negligence causing bodily injury, according to police reports cited in the Kyodo news service and the Japanese-language Too-Nippo newspaper.

It was unclear whether the captain was in Japanese custody.

According to the news reports, Miller was driving from Aomori, 45 miles northwest of Misawa, to his home in Rokunohe, six miles southwest of Misawa, when his car crossed the Michihoku toll road center line around 7:15 a.m. Thursday.

Miller’s car struck a car operated by a Japanese driver in Tenmabayshi village, 20 miles northwest of Misawa, according to the news reports.

Police said Miller later was found in his car about two miles from the accident scene.

Two of the three occupants in the other car sustained minor injuries; their names were not released.

The newspapers reported that additional charges may be filed against Miller.

Misawa spokesman Capt. John Haynes would confirm only Miller’s name, rank and unit.

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