6 people killed Police are investigating seven separate weekend accidents that caused six deaths, making it one of the deadliest Veterans Day weekends in recent memory.
in 7 weekend
traffic accidents
Police put some of the blame on wet roads,
fatigue, inattention, speed and alcoholStar-Bulletin staff
Speed, wet roads, fatigue, inattention and alcohol appear to have contributed to some of the accidents.
On Oahu, a 2-month-old boy died after being ejected from a van on Kamehameha Highway in Laie about 11:55 a.m. yesterday. Police said the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel and lost control of the van.
The van rolled over, causing the infant, who was not in a child-restraint seat, to be thrown, police said.
The infant was taken to Queen's Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. His name was not released.
Another younger child and two adults, a 30-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man, also were flown to Queen's.
Details about the child's injuries and condition were not available. The adults remained at the hospital this morning in fair condition, a nursing supervisor said.
Two older children were taken to Kahuku Hospital. They were treated for minor injuries and released.
Earlier yesterday, speed was a factor in a fatal single-car crash on Nimitz Highway, near the Dillingham Boulevard onramp.
Police said a 23-year-old Kalihi man lost control of his silver 2002 Acura RSX and struck a guardrail about 1:30 a.m. He was taken in critical condition to Queen's, where he died from his injuries.
Police are investigating whether he was wearing a seat belt. The vehicle's airbag deployed at the time of impact.
Another crash at 4:15 a.m. on the H-1 freeway near the Kaonohi Street overpass sent a 20-year-old man from Schofield Barracks to Queen's Medical Center with serious injuries. He has improved from critical to guarded condition today.
Police said speed again appeared to have been a factor. The soldier was driving a red Dodge Neon and did not see a two-car collision in front of him in time to stop his car to avoid crashing into one of the cars.
The soldier stepped on the brakes, but it was too late, police said. His car skidded and struck a late-model Dodge Charger, causing the Charger to burst into flames.
Police said the soldier's two passengers were in serious and good condition at Pali Momi Medical Center. It is unknown whether seat belts were in use.
A bicyclist also was injured seriously on Oahu yesterday after he was struck by a sport utility vehicle on Kamehameha IV Road. He remained in critical condition at Queen's this morning.
Police said the bicyclist, a 37-year-old man, was traveling north near the intersection of Keha Place about 4 p.m., when he turned into the path of oncoming traffic and collided with the vehicle.
On the Big Island, four people died in three accidents over the weekend.
Speed and wet roads appear to be factors in a two-car collision that left a 76-year-old man dead yesterday.
Police said Albert Moriguchi, of Kailua-Kona, was a passenger in a 1993 Mercury sedan that collided with a 1989 Nissan that crossed the center line on Palani Road.
Moriguchi's wife, Yooko, 71, was taken to Kona Community Hospital and then flown to Queen's, where she was reported in guarded condition this morning.
The 23-year-old driver of the Nissan was arrested for investigation of negligent homicide and driving without a license and insurance.
On Saturday, a drunken driver crashed his pickup truck into a rental vehicle on Hamakua Highway near Ookala, police said. The Mainland couple in the rental vehicle died after it plunged into a gulch.
A 19-year-old Kona man also died in another Big Island accident. Police said the victim was pinned in his car after colliding with a 2003 Honda on Kaahumanu Highway. Police were searching for the driver of the Honda.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving today urged Hawaii motorists to drive safely after the traffic deaths over the weekend.
"As we're heading into the holiday season, which historically has been a deadly time of year. We encourage motorists to take extra precautions to drive safe and sober," said Connie Abram, MADD executive director.
"We want people to enjoy the holidays, but if you plan to drink, please designate a driver. It's the safest choice."