Girl dies in H-1 viaduct collision

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 17-year-old girl died Wednesday when the pickup truck she was driving slammed into a concrete support pillar beneath the H-1 Freeway viaduct, police said.

It was the 76th traffic fatality of 2001 and occurred in the same area and under similar circumstances as the 75th fatality.

The accident occurred about 7:50 p.m. at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Pu'uloa Road, said Sgt. James Addison of the Honolulu Police Department's vehicular homicide section.

The girl, who has not been identified by the Honolulu medical examiner, was the lone occupant of a white 1990 Nissan pickup truck traveling westbound on Kamehameha Highway, Addison said.

"Witnesses say the driver of the vehicle was maneuvering her car through traffic, weaving through traffic," Addison said.

At the intersection, the driver struck a median.

"As a result, the driver lost control, veered across the intersection and struck a support pillar for the viaduct," Addison said. "The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead while in the vehicle."

Addison said alcohol and excessive speed may be factors in the accident, but police are seeking the public's help with the case.

"There are some questions still about this case, certain aspects we are trying to find out," he said, without providing specifics.

The public is asked to call 529-3499 with any information.

On Sunday, the driver involved in the 75th traffic fatality of the year also was westbound on Kamehameha Highway when he drove through the intersection at Pu'uloa Road and slammed into a viaduct support pillar. The 30-year-old driver of the vehicle, a 1993 Toyota 4Runner, was not wearing a seat belt.

He died at the scene after suffering massive head and chest injuries.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.