Posted on: Monday, June 6, 2005

Accidents leave two dead

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two men were killed in traffic accidents on O'ahu over the weekend as highway deaths on O'ahu and across the state continued at a high pace.

Thirty-six people have died on O'ahu roads this year, compared with 31 at this time last year. Statewide, 56 people have died, compared with 60 at this time last year — a year that had a total of 142 traffic deaths, Hawai'i's highest total in eight years.

The latest victim was a 34-year-old Mililani man killed yesterday when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed on a rain-slickened H-2 Freeway in Wahiawa.

Police said the man was traveling toward Mililani at 1:24 a.m. when he lost control on a turn about 510 feet east of Wilikina Drive.

The motorcycle crossed the median, hit a hedge, and the man was thrown from the motorcycle.

He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Speed was a factor in the crash, said Honolulu Police Department traffic Sgt. Lisa Reed. The man was wearing a helmet. His name was not immediately released by authorities.

In addition, an 80-year-old Kane'ohe man died Saturday night from injuries suffered when his car veered into oncoming lanes on Likelike Highway and hit a van Saturday morning.

The city Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as Wataru Isaka.

Police said a Honda Civic being driven by Isaka toward Kane'ohe crossed into the townbound lanes near 'Alu Street in Kalihi Valley and hit a Nissan van at 9:26 a.m.

The Medical Examiner's Office said Isaka may have been affected by a medical problem before the crash.

Three people in the van were taken to The Queen's Medical Center for treatment and have been released.

Isaka was pronounced dead at 9:10 p.m. Saturday, police said. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8110.