Parents mourn loss of triplet in crash

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

PA'AUILO, Hawai'i — Thirteen-year-old triplets Meghan, Ryan and Kaitlyn Rae Higgins did almost everything together.

Born a minute apart at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, they were schooled at home and enjoyed swimming and other activities.

The triplets would've been together on a drive to South Kohala early Saturday afternoon except that Meghan decided at the last minute to stay home to care for her sick rabbit. Hours later, Kaitlyn Rae would be dead and Ryan injured after the 2002 Subaru sedan they were riding in ran off Waikoloa Road and hit several trees.

The driver, Jeremiah Vrooman, 20, is married to the teens' oldest sister, Elison.

Police believe the vehicle was speeding when Vrooman lost control on a curve and the car careened across the center line and down an embankment.

Kaitlyn Rae, who was riding in the front seat, was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 4:43 p.m. Vrooman and Ryan Higgins, who was in the back seat, were treated at North Hawai'i Community Hospital. Police said all three apparently were wearing seat belts.

The triplets' parents, Mike and Lori Higgins, lived in Oregon before moving to the Big Island 20 years ago. Lori Higgins said her children stayed home for schooling so "they could share in Christian values." She described her daughter's death as a mixture of joy and grief, since "Kaitlyn knew and loved God very much."

The girl enjoyed dancing and took ballet lessons — one of her few activities away from the home. She also liked basketball and swimming.

Older sister Shannon also is home-schooled, as a senior enrolled through Christian Liberty School.

Except for annual testing, teachers at nearby Pa'auilo School had no contact with the family, said principal Stanley Oka.

A funeral for Kaitlyn Rae is set for 4 p.m. Saturday at New Hope Church in Waimea.