Makakilo boy's death spurs safe-driver plan
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
A 15-year-old Makakilo boy who was killed because of injuries in a car crash Friday night has been identified as Jett Dinio, a student at Kapolei Middle School.
Dinio's death and the serious injuries suffered by two Kapolei High School students who were other passengers in the car were a shock to both campuses yesterday.
The middle school held an assembly early in the day to talk about the feelings Dinio's friends and classmates might be going through.
And teachers and students at the high school were considering launching a school research project to determine how to reduce death and injury of young people on the roads.
Dinio was in the back seat with another 14-year-old boy, while the third passenger, a 16-year-old girl, was sitting in the front seat next to a 17-year-old girl who was driving.
All were taken to The Queen's Medical Center after the vehicle smashed into a tree on Makakilo Drive at 8:29 p.m. Friday.
Police said speed appears to have been a factor in the accident, which occurred when the driver apparently lost control of the southbound 1987 Honda Accord about 215 feet south of Nohohale Street.
Dinio died at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
Kapolei High School Principal Al Nagasako said yesterday that counselors and a school-based behavioral health specialist team were alerted about the crash to offer counseling and other support to students.
At the same time, Nagasako said, students in an activity group at the high school began talking about a safe-driving initiative, which could involve students investigating what techniques work to reduce teenage car accidents.
The death came as students and families prepared for the challenge of students driving to and from graduation parties with the end of the school year.
Police investigators looking into possible negligent homicide charges declined to elaborate on what role speed may have played in the accident, saying they did not want to comment on information that could become evidence in any possible criminal case.
Maj. Brian Wauke, of the police traffic division, said, "Speeding is one of the biggest factors in traffic fatalities among persons of all ages on O'ahu."
Another traffic fatality late Saturday brought the total for 2003 to 31, compared to 25 at this time last year, Wauke said.
Reach Walter Wright at 525-8054 or wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Correction: A male passenger injured in a collision Friday on Makakilo Drive is 14 years old. A previous version of this story reported the wrong age.
