TSU (Kyodo) -- A bus veered off the road and crashed into a wooded area Saturday night in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, killing the driver and injuring more than 20 passengers, according to local police and emergency responders.

The accident occurred while the overnight coach, operated by Seibu Kanko Co. was en route to Saitama, north of Tokyo, from Nachikatsuura, a town on the southern coast of Wakayama Prefecture.

A total of 23 people were on board, of which 22 were taken to hospitals. The driver, 57-year-old Satoshi Hashizume, was confirmed dead, and the remaining 21 were hurt, though many sustained just minor injuries.

The substitute driver was sleeping at the time of the accident, with the front of the bus sustaining heavy damage, authorities said.