In November 2024, a tragic accident occurred at Saitama Sakae High School when a vehicle used for ground maintenance overturned, leading to the death of a 17-year-old student and injuring another. In connection with this incident, the Saitama Prefectural Police have sent papers to the Saitama District Public Prosecutors Office on December 6, involving two teachers responsible for managing the keys to the vehicle. The suspects include a 43-year-old male head coach of the soccer team and a 38-year-old male assistant coach, both of whom reportedly acknowledged the allegations against them.

The police's investigation revealed that the teachers, who were charged with ensuring the safety inspection and proper management of the equipment associated with club activities, had overlooked their responsibilities despite having recognized that the vehicle's mirrors had previously fallen off. They failed to secure the vehicle's keys, leaving them inside the unlocked vehicle. Following the conclusion of club activities on November 16, 2024, during the late hours, an 18-year-old male student drove the vehicle, which resulted in the tragic accident. Reports indicate that this negligent act led to the death of a student seated in the front passenger seat, while another student seated in the back sustained minor injuries.

Despite acknowledging the incident, the suspects expressed disbelief at the idea that students had been joyriding in the vehicle. The head coach has been quoted as saying he thought it would be convenient to leave the key in the vehicle for easy access to maintenance. Meanwhile, a report compiled by a third-party committee from the school suggested that prior to the incident, there had been a consistent trend of students riding in the car without permission, which had gone unnoticed by the faculty, indicating a systemic failure in oversight related to student conduct and equipment management. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding accountability and safety protocols within the school environment.