Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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2 traffic fatalities bring Oahu yearly total to 28

Two people died in separate traffic accidents yesterday, bringing the total number of fatalities on Oahu roads this year to 28, police said.

Last year at this time, there were 25 traffic fatalities.

The first accident happened at about 7:20 yesterday morning when the driver of a white 2000 Jeep Cherokee lost control and hit a concrete barrier on the H-1 freeway near the Dillingham Boulevard offramp.

The Jeep flew over the H-1 freeway airport viaduct and landed under the westbound H-1 onramp.

A man believed to be the driver was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A man believed to be the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The identities and ages of the men were not available.

Speed and alcohol might have been factors in the crash, police said.

At about 2:12 p.m. a 26-year-old motorcyclist from Kaneohe was killed after he lost control on Kaukonahua Road in Waialua and was hit head-on by a 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck.

Police said the motorcyclist was speeding westbound on the roadway when he lost control and veered into the grassy shoulder. He then drove into oncoming traffic and hit the truck.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The 27-year-old driver of the pickup truck and his passenger sustained minor injuries.

Police said it is unclear if alcohol was a factor. They closed Kaukonahua Road between Wilikina Drive and Kamananui Road yesterday as they investigated the crash.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Hilo man charged in attempted murder

Big Island police have charged a 24-year-old man with attempted murder in connection with an incident last month at a Hilo apartment complex.

Cyrus Ramos of Hilo allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at a 20-year-old man and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not discharge.

Police said the incident occurred in the early morning hours on March 11 at a Kaumana area park.

Police responded to an assault call, but the victim was not seriously injured and declined medical treatment.

On March 28, witnesses told police that the suspect had actually tried to shoot the victim.

Police recovered a handgun, and witnesses identified Ramos as the suspect. Ramos was arrested Friday and is being held on $62,500 bail for second-degree attempted murder, third-degree assault and firearm violations.

WINDWARD OAHU

3 teens arrested in alleged mugging

Police arrested three teenagers after they allegedly assaulted an older teen who was riding his skateboard in Kaneohe just after midnight on Saturday.

The victim, 19, said he was riding down Kahuhipa Street when he came upon the suspects, ages 15 and 16, who knocked him off his skateboard. While on the ground, the suspects beat him while searching his pockets and taking his money and cell phone, police said.

The victim told his brother what had happened, and the brother located the suspects behind Windward Mall and called police.

All three suspects were arrested for second-degree robbery and released pending an investigation.

The victim was treated at the Castle Medical Center for his injuries and released.