Posted at 3:56 p.m., Friday, August 25, 2006
Pedestrian killed in painted over crosswalk identified
Advertiser Staff
The pedestrian who was struck and killed early this morning by a hit-and-run driver in a crosswalk that had been painted over on North King Street has been identified as Thomas Laikupu, 75, of North King Street, the Medical Examiner's office said.The cause of death was listed as multiple blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle collision.
Honolulu traffic investigators said that Laikupu was struck at 12:09 a.m., nine feet east of Akepo Lane by the driver of a light-colored van.
The front of the van may have been damaged in the collision, police said.
The van was traveling at a "high rate of speed" in the 'ewa-bound direction when Laikupu was heading from south to north across King Street in an old crosswalk that had been painted over.
The driver of the van did not stop to help Laikupu after the accident, police said.
City paramedics found the man in extremely critical condition, with massive injuries, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services operations.
Cheplic said the injured pedestrian died shortly after arriving at The Queen's Medical Center.
O'ahu's traffic death toll now stands at 65 compared to 54 for the same period last year.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Investigation Division at 529-3499
