Walking is a popular and trendy way to get around in the state of Hawaii. More and more people are choosing to walk in order to save money and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The climate is wonderful here year-round, which makes traveling by foot very enjoyable. However, there are also more vehicles on the road than ever before, and more foot traffic along crowded streets is equating to an increase in pedestrian accidents.
A recent accident on the island of Oahu resulted in the death of a pedestrian and a driver facing charges. The accident happened during the overnight hours along Kamehameha Highway in Waiahole. Reports say a man was attempting to cross the highway in a marked crosswalk when he was suddenly struck by a vehicle.
Authorities said the pedestrian was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but later died. According to police, the driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with driving without a license, causing an accident involving death and criminal contempt. Reportedly, Kamehameha Highway was closed for almost three hours following the accident. Police reports say this was the 50th traffic related fatality on Oahu roadways this year.
Across Hawaii, more and more people are choosing walking as a primary source of transportation. At some point during the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Drivers and pedestrians alike must always remain focused and aware of surroundings at all times to prevent pedestrian accidents. Families who have lost loved ones due to negligence in an accident such as this can take legal action. A successful claim could provide families compensation to help with medical expenses and other monetary losses.
