Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

Pedestrian killed crossing street

O'ahu recorded its seventh traffic fatality of the year yesterday with the death of a 42-year-old man who was struck by a car while crossing a street near Halawa Heights Road.

The man was hit at the intersection of Ulune and Pohue streets at 7:44 a.m. and was pinned under a car. Firefighters from the 'Aiea engine company lifted the car to free the man, who was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center-Pali Momi in extremely critical condition, Emergency Medical Services employees said.

The man died at about 9:30 a.m.

Four of O'ahu's seven traffic fatalities this year have been pedestrians. There were five traffic fatalities by this date last year.

Murder inquiry opened in death

Police have opened a murder investigation into the death of 18-year-old Joshua K. Diaz, who was struck by a van Wednesday night in Makaha.

Diaz was left lying on Farrington Highway near Lawai'a Street and was run over by a car at 9:25 p.m. He died at 10:09 p.m. at the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.

Police found the Plymouth Voyager van that struck Diaz parked at Kea'au Beach Park. The registered owner of the van is related to Diaz, police said. The man was still at large yesterday.

Tow-truck driver dies after crash

A 25-year-old Waipahu man driving a tow truck died Thursday after the vehicle veered off Kamokila Boulevard and crashed into a utility pole near Nau Place at 1:45 p.m. McKenna Victor died at 2:55 p.m. at St. Francis Medical Center-West.

Investigators said they suspect a medical condition may have caused the man's death and are awaiting autopsy findings.