Kalihi man killed in hit-and-run on Manoa Road
By Rod Ohira and Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writers
Honolulu police are looking for a driver who struck and killed a 92-year-old man on Manoa Road yesterday, the sixth person killed on O'ahu roadways in 15 days.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
None of the six was in a car. Since Oct. 2, three motorcyclists, two pedestrians and a moped rider were killed. Two of the cases, including the Manoa Road fatality, involved drivers who fled the scene.
Traffic investigators check the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident on Manoa Road near Lanihuli Drive today. Police are seeking the vehicle involved in the death of the 92-year-old male pedestrian.
In yesterday's case, the 92-year-old Kalihi man was found lying unconscious on the sidewalk along the 'Ewa side of Manoa Road near Lanihuli Drive at 5:48 a.m. Paramedics took the victim, who suffered massive lower body injuries, to the Queen's Medical Center, where he died about two hours later.
Police believe the man, a gardener, was on his way to work when he was struck while crossing Manoa Road near a bus stop. Vehicular homicide investigator Sgt. Lorenzo Ridela said it appears a vehicle slowed down before leaving the scene because there were no skid marks indicating a sudden stop.
Investigators said witnesses saw a light-colored sedan, possibly a Nissan, leaving the area. The vehicle may have damage to the right front bumper, light and hood, said Detective Letha DeCaires.
Police are asking anyone with information to call vehicular homicide investigators at 529-3499 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *crime on a cellular phone.
Residents living on that downhill section of Manoa Road expressed concern yesterday about traffic safety along the 25-mph speed limit zone. Sarah Loui, who lives close to where the man was struck, said, "A lot of drivers come down the hill pretty fast, trying to beat the red light at that intersection" of Manoa Road and Lanihuli Street.
With yesterday's death, the number of O'ahu's traffic deaths for the year is 53, compared with 60 on the same date in 2001. Maj. Robert Prasser, commander of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division, attributed the drop in vehicle-collision deaths to stepped-up patrol efforts.
It's a concern, however, that the strategy has failed to reduce the number of pedestrian and motorcycle fatalities. "Pedestrian fatalities are slightly ahead and motorcycle fatalities way ahead of last year," Prasser said.
He added police may have to look at strategies in addition to educating the public about pedestrian safety and operating motorcycles within the speed limit. "Maybe we need to be more aggressive in enforcement of crosswalks with pedestrians," Prasser said.
Speed appears to be a factor in two of three recent fatal motorcycle crashes. But what's alarming to Prasser is that the motorcyclists died despite wearing helmets.
"The new sports bikes are grossly overpowered, and it's easy to get to a high rate of speed," Prasser said. "In most of the cases we've seen, safety equipment was being used."
The medical examiner's office yesterday identified the motorcyclists killed Saturday and Monday nights as Robert Eagle Pederson IV, 24, and Leonard C. Toussaint Jr., 27, respectively. Both were in the military.
Pederson, stationed at Schofield, had completed a mandatory three-day motorcycle safety foundation course for 25th Infantry Division (Light) members in June, said division spokesman Bob Warner. "It's what you take out of the course that makes it a valuable experience," Warner said.
The third motorcyclist, Meliger P. Padre, 47, of Halawa, was killed Oct. 2 when his motorcycle was struck by a car in Pearl City.
