By this time last year, 15 motorists had lost their lives on roads on the Hawaii islands. A recent death in Kailua-Kona brought the fatalities from auto accidents so far this year to 23. The Hawaii Police Department reported that an investigation into an alleged negligent homicide is underway.
An accident report indicates that the crash occurred on Highway 190 on a recent Thursday afternoon. Reportedly, a 48-year-old woman from Kailua-Kona was northbound in a pickup truck when she veered across the center line. It entered the lane of southbound traffic and collided head-on with an SUV.
Authorities say the SUV driver was a 71-year-old woman who suffered critical injuries. She was rushed to the community hospital in Kona, but she did not survive, and her death was pronounced at the hospital. With her was a 73-year-old man who, along with the pickup truck driver, was also transported to the hospital. The severity of their injuries is unknown. According to the Traffic Enforcement Unit, it is suspected that the pickup truck driver was distracted and that this caused her vehicle to enter the southbound lane.
Victims of auto accidents that resulted from the negligence of other parties can seek recovery of damages through the civil justice system of Hawaii. This applies to injured victims and the surviving family members of those who have lost their lives in such crashes. With the support and guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney, financial losses such as medical expenses or funeral and burial costs along with lost income can be claimed. Non-economic damages like pain and suffering may also form part of the claim. The lawyer can also help with establishing negligence, which is the basis of any personal injury lawsuit.
Source: khon2.com, “Police believe distracted driving played role in deadly Kailua-Kona crash“, Aug. 22, 2017
