A fatality on Aug. 24 marked the 24th vehicle-related death in Hawaii so far this year — excluding four fatal crashes that occurred on non-public roads. At the same time last year, auto accidents had claimed the lives of 15 motorists. This latest accident involved a pickup truck and a motorcycle.
According to a police report, a 28-year-old pickup truck driver was southbound on Highway 130 when she made a left turn onto Highway 132. However, she allegedly failed to yield for a northbound motorcycle who had the right of way. On the motorcycle was a 39-year-old man of Pahoa.
The biker did not survive the accident. Authorities reported that the pickup truck driver failed to remain at the scene after the motorcycle smashed into the side of her vehicle. Police say the driver of the truck later reported the accident at the police station. She is now facing charges of negligent homicide in the second degree, leaving an accident scene where a fatality occurred and driving without a driver’s license.
The news report mentioned that the deceased man was a father of three, and all his surviving family members will naturally be extremely traumatized. They can pursue potential financial relief by filing a wrongful death claim in a civil court. However, at this difficult time, they may want to leave the navigation of such a lawsuit up to an experienced Hawaii personal injury attorney. A lawyer can pursue possible recovery of financial losses such as funeral and burial costs and lost income along with emotional damages while affording the family time to grieve the loss of their loved one.
Source: hawaiitribune-herald.com, “‘I feel like I may crumble’: Man’s death in Pahoa hit-and-run crash devastates loved ones”, John Burnett, Aug. 26, 2017
