Makaha hit-run suspect arrested

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Police have arrested a suspect in the hit-and-run accident that killed a 60-year-old woman Thursday night on Farrington Highway in Makaha.

The suspect is a 45-year-old Makaha woman, police said.

She was arrested, then released pending further investigation, and could face felony hit-and-run charges.

At 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Laverne Yamura, 60, of Wai'anae, was struck and killed by a compact sedan while crossing Farrington Highway near Makaha Valley Road and the 7-Eleven store.

Yamura was not in the crosswalk and was wearing dark clothing, traffic investigators said. She was pronounced dead at the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.

Investigators said it was unknown if alcohol or speed were factors in the accident. The motorist drove off immediately.

It was the 43rd traffic fatality this year, compared with 33 last year. It was also the second fatal accident on Farrington Highway in less than a week.

On June 27, Paul Brzezowski, 48, and his son Matthew, 7, were killed when struck in a crosswalk in Nanakuli. The two were on their way to Sack 'n Save to get a cake for Paul Brzezowski's birthday that day.