'Ewa Beach pedestrian, 16, dies

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 16-year-old girl who was hit by a car as she crossed Fort Weaver Road on Tuesday died of her injuries yesterday morning.

Her name was not released yesterday, and she was identified by police only as an 'Ewa Beach resident. She was pronounced dead at 8:02 a.m. at The Queen's Medical Center.

The girl was hit as she crossed Fort Weaver Road just north of Karayan Street at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police said she was either in a crosswalk or very near one at the time.

The girl suffered massive head injuries and cuts over most of her body and was taken to Queen's in critical condition.

The 67-year-old driver of the Ford Escort station wagon and her 89-year-old passenger, both of 'Ewa Beach, were not injured, police said.

For years 'Ewa Beach residents have sought improvements at the crosswalk where the girl was killed. A community coalition has proposed a pedestrian overpass, but state transportation officials rejected the plan in favor of new and brighter signs.

An investigation is under way. Police said speed and alcohol did not appear to be factors. Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call police traffic investigator Sgt. William Baldwin at 529-3136, or Officer Lisa Reed at 529-3499.