FOUR OAKS – A car accident in Johnston County is now being investigated as a homicide.
On Friday, February 21, 2025, at 3:38 am, a car accident with injuries was reported at the 86 mile marker on I-95 northbound near the Keen Road exit in Four Oaks.
Local fire and EMS crews discovered an unconscious man in the driver’s seat of a 2017 Ford Mustang. The man was transported to WakeMed Hospital for treatment.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol initiated the investigation into the accident. The driver was identified as 87-year-old Toshio Takashima from Virginia. Injuries he suffered were reportedly inconsistent with the auto accident.
Delayed Investigation
It took more than three weeks for the Highway Patrol to ask for assistance. On March 17, the State Highway Patrol in Smithfield reached out to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to request help.
A week later, on March 24, WakeMed notified the NC SBI that Mr. Takashima had passed away one day before his 88th birthday. His body was sent to the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office for a complete autopsy. The initial findings of the autopsy classified Mr. Takashima’s death as a homicide.
The SBI, Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, and Johnston County District Attorney are seeking the public’s help in gathering information related to this case.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the SBI at 919-662-4500 or the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 919-989-5010.
This case is a joint investigation involving the SBI, NC SHP, and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.
It took more than three weeks for the Highway Patrol to ask for assistance. On March 17, the State Highway Patrol in Smithfield reached out to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to request help. WHY?
@Sand: THIS is the real question. Smells like a cover-up, why else would they wait until he was dead? #IfItQuacksLikeADuck
The dog Joey in the photo is still missing with no credible sightings. Please be on the look out for him.
Much information missing here…..
Somebody definitely dropped the ball on this case
Y’all are Drama 👑
I guy gets murdered…. Yea caring about it and worrying about a murderer out and about isn’t that big a deal…..sarcasm intended.
I hope the dog gets found. How sad