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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, March 3, 2008

Crashes on Maui, Big Island kill 2 men

Advertiser Staff

Weekend traffic accidents on Maui and the Big Island claimed the lives of two men and left another critically injured, police said.

In Hilo, a 47-year-old man died after his motorcycle ran a stop sign and crashed about 11:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Lama Street, according to Hilo police.

Police said the man, Clayton K. Fukuhara of Hilo, was operating a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he failed to stop at the intersection and crashed into a nearby driveway.

Fukuhara, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center several hours later. It was not known if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash, police said.

Fukuhara's death was the eighth traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, the same number as this time last year.

On Maui, a 34-year-old man was killed and another man was critically injured when their car ran off the road and struck a utility pole late Saturday night in Kihei, Maui police said.

The driver of the 2002 four-door Honda Accord was killed instantly in the crash on North Kihei Road, police said. His 41-year-old passenger was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.

Police have not determined whether the driver and his passenger were wearing seat belts or if speed or alcohol were involved.

The death was Maui County's fourth traffic fatality of the year, compared with two at this time last year.

The state's traffic-fatality toll for this year was 23 as of yesterday and is as follows:

  • Big Island: Eight (five vehicle, two motorcycle, one pedestrian)

  • O'ahu: Seven (three vehicle, three pedestrian, one moped)

  • Maui: Four (three vehicle, one motorcycle)

  • Kaua'i: Four (three vehicle, one pedestrian)