Police continue investigation into fatal H-1 crash

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

The attorney for the 18-year-old man involved in Sunday's fatal collision on the H-1 Freeway says the police investigation is expected to take five to six months.

The family of victim Elizabeth Kekoa has hired a personal injury law firm to handle their case. The family has asked witnesses to come forward in the case.

Kekoa, 58, died when a Honda — reportedly racing with other cars — spun out of control and struck her family van. Kekoa's husband and mother remain hospitalized at the Queen's Medical Center.

The driver of the Honda, Nicholas Tudisco, was arrested for second-degree negligent homicide but has not been charged.

Tudisco's lawyer, Michael Green, says Hawai'i Pacific University will likely open its 2002 baseball season before police complete the investigation.

"The school will probably take a wait-and-see position," Green said. "But the baseball scholarship is the only way he can continue his education."

Witnesses said Tudisco's 1999 Prelude was among several Hondas speeding east toward the Sixth Avenue off-ramp at 4:17 a.m. when he lost control of his car.

Tudisco's auto bounced off the median and hit the van, causing it to strike the guardrail. Tudisco was not seriously hurt.

"There was definitely no alcohol," Green said. He said Tudisco only remembers hitting the wall. Green declined comment when asked whether his client was racing.

The attorney says he also has heard reports that Tudisco had been cited by police twice since 1999 for speeding.

A copy of Tudisco's traffic record obtained at District Court showed "no moving violations."

Advertiser staff writers Brandon Masuoka and Scott Ishikawa contributed to this report.