Man killed crossing freeway near Fort Shafter
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
A man was killed yesterday afternoon when he was struck by a van and a car while attempting to run across the six-lane Moanalua Freeway near Fort Shafter.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
Shortly before 4 p.m., police say the man crossed the 'ewa-bound side of Moanalua Freeway from the mauka to makai direction. Police believe the victim was struck by a Dodge Caravan, then a Datsun sedan.
An accident in which a man was killed trying to cross Moanalua Freeway brought afternoon 'ewa-bound traffic to a standstill.
Afternoon rush-hour traffic heading westbound was brought to a standstill as police shut down all 'ewa-bound lanes of Moanalua Freeway between the Middle Street and Fort Shafter off-ramps to allow police to investigate the accident scene.
A woman, 44, and her two daughters, 14 and 15, inside the van were taken to The Queen's Medical Center for unknown injuries, fire officials said.
The driver of the Datsun sedan remained at the scene.
Investigators said the man had no identification.
'Ewa-bound traffic along Moanalua and H-1 freeways at one point was backed up from Fort Shafter all the way to Punahou Street, partially because of motorists rubbernecking as they drove by the accident scene, police said.
H-1 Freeway near the airport and Nimitz Highway was also congested as drivers tried to find alternative routes around the gridlock.
Moanalua Freeway was reopened shortly after 6:30 p.m.
A similar accident occurred in 2000 when a 43-year-old man attempted to cross Moanalua Freeway about a half-mile down near Moanalua Gardens.
The man in that accident suffered several broken bones after being struck by three cars. Police said none of the drivers involved stopped to render aid, which is required by law.
