City sued over fatal
car crash on Likelike

The city is responsible for the fatal car crash on Likelike Highway in April that killed three people and injured three others on the way to the wedding rehearsal of a relative, a lawsuit alleges.

Mary Filimoehala, 18, and Joseph Naulu, 13, of Oahu and Winnie Naulu, 26, of New Zealand were killed April 16 when the Chevy Trailblazer they were riding struck the sloped end of a barrier at the Honolulu-bound entrance to Wilson Tunnel, causing the sport utility vehicle to launch into the air and crash, according to a lawsuit filed by their estates yesterday in Circuit Court.

Emeline Naulu, 21, Jasmine Lutui, 17, and the vehicle's driver, 19-year-old Jonathan Fonua of Los Angeles, were also injured but survived.

The city was responsible for the safe design, construction and maintenance of the barrier, should have known of the danger and failed to take steps to reduce the danger, the suit said. The suit seeks unspecified damages.

City officials could not be reached for comment.

The group apparently was rushing to the wedding rehearsal of their aunt who was to be married the next day. The six in the car included a ring bearer and two bridesmaids.

The SUV was estimated to have been traveling about 70 to 80 mph when it crashed and flipped over at least once, landing 20 feet inside the tunnel. Police opened a negligent-homicide investigation against the driver.