A teenage girl is dead and her brother and brother-in-law seriously hurt after the car they were in ran off the Big Island's Waikoloa Road and went down an embankment yesterday. Teenage girl dies
in Big Isle crashPolice said if an oncoming car had not seen the crash, the victims may have been trapped for "an extended period."
The crash was reported at 12:37 p.m. when a 2002 Subaru sedan driven by Jeremiah Vrooman, 20, went out of control on a right bend in the road, crossed the center line, ran off the left shoulder and down an embankment, hitting several trees, police said.
Kaitlyn Rae Higgins, 13, of Paauilo, who was in the front passenger seat, was taken to Kona Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 4:43 p.m.
Her brother Ryan Higgins, 13, and Vrooman were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where they were reported in guarded but stable condition.
Police said speed was a factor in the crash. The victims were wearing seat belts and the car's air bags deployed.
Police said Kaitlyn and Ryan were two of triplets.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Float-away barge sparks Big Island investigation
Coast Guard investigators are trying to determine why a Matson container barge broke free from a tugboat as it entered Kawaihae Harbor Friday night.The Matson barge Mauna Loa ran aground and damaged seven moored boats when it broke free of the Sause Brothers Ocean Towing Co. tugboat Mary Catherine.
After an environmental assessment yesterday, the Coast Guard determined no oil was spilled during the mishap.
"There was no pollution found," said spokeswoman Erika Ryan.
Winds at the time of the 6 p.m. incident were 60 knots, Ryan said.
The barge later was refloated and towed to the pier, she said. It was inspected yesterday and released for return to Honolulu.
No one was aboard any of the boats hit and there were no injuries, Ryan said. No damage estimate was available.
Alcohol tests on all members of the tug crew came back negative, Ryan said.
LEEWARD OAHU
Teenager hospitalized after hit and run in Maili
A man driving a stolen car hit a 14-year-old boy crossing Farrington Highway in a crosswalk and fled the scene Friday afternoon, police said.A witness followed the car and helped police arrest the suspect.
The boy, 14, suffered a broken leg, broken upper arm and broken teeth and was taken to Queen's Medical Center by ambulance, police said. The hospital would not release information on the victim's condition.
The incident occurred near Hookele St. in Maili at about 5:30 p.m. Police said a 37-year-old man, driving a stolen 1984 Toyota Tercel, ran a red light and struck the boy.
A witness, stopped at the light, followed the suspect to a back road and called police. The man was apprehended shortly afterward.
Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the collision, police said.
Aiea water main break spills 10,000 gallons
Board of Water Supply crews worked overnight Friday repairing a water main break near the Pearl Country Club in Aiea.The break occurred just after 11 p.m. about a block downhill from the golf course on Kaonohi Street. The golf course and the country club were not affected.
Romie Dasalla, Water Supply control center operator, estimated that close to 10,000 gallons had spilled from the 12-inch pipe. "It's a big one," he said.
The cause of the break was unknown, he said, and water was restored to 24 affected homes around 9 a.m. yesterday.
HONOLULU
Arson damages elevator at Honolulu college
A suspicious fire yesterday morning in a Honolulu Community College elevator caused at least $1,000 damage before being doused by students who discovered the fire, police said.Honolulu Fire Department investigators determined the 8:52 a.m. fire was intentionally set.
