Posted on: Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Two die in O'ahu, Maui accidents

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

A motorcyclist and a pickup truck driver were killed in separate traffic accidents on Sunday, one on O'ahu and the other on Maui.

Police said sheriff's deputies saw the 21-year-old motorcyclist, of Salt Lake, traveling east in the westbound lane of Aolele Street near Honolulu International Airport about 11:15 last night.

The deputies lost sight of the motorcycle and its operator but moments later came upon a crashed 2004 Honda motorcycle and a man lying on the ground near the United Airlines cargo terminal fronting Aolele Street.

The motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition and died there a short time later. Investigators believe speeding contributed to the crash but had not determined yet whether other factors were involved.

In the Maui incident, 36-year-old Kevin Patrick Freitas, of Makawao, was killed Sunday morning after his pickup truck collided with a sports utility vehicle on Hana Highway.

Police said a 29-year-old woman was driving toward Hana about 9:20 a.m. near Ulaino Road when her 2003 Chevrolet Suburban veered onto the right shoulder, hit a rock wall and crossed left back across the pavement and hit Freitas' 1987 Ford Ranger pickup.

Freitas died at the scene while a front-seat passenger in his truck, a Makawao man, was taken by Air-Med Helicopter to the Maui Memorial Medical Center. He was listed in fair condition there yesterday morning.

The Suburban driver, of Hana, and her two children were treated at the Hana Medical Center and released. Investigators had not yet determined what factors may have contributed to the crash.

Freitas' death was the 16th traffic fatality in Maui County this year compared with 13 during the same period last year.

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-7412.