Early Monday morning, May 27th, a collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian occurred at Lono Avenue in Kahului. Approximately just after 3 am, an unknown vehicle drove over a man lying in the roadway and did not stop after to render aid.
Police’s preliminary investigation has revealed that a 57-year-old male who frequented the area was lying on the road when the unknown vehicle, traveling southwest, drove over him and did not stop. The vehicle fled the scene in an unknown direction and has yet to be found or identified.
The 57-year-old male, whose identity has not yet been revealed, succumbed to his injuries on the scene.
The Maui Police Department Vehicular Homicide Unit investigators are currently investigating the incident and working to identify the vehicle and driver that fled the scene.
Fatal Hit And Run Accidents in Hawaii
Data collected from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that Hawaii is ranked number five in the nation for states with the highest rates of fatal hit and run accidents.
Hit and run accidents have a higher potential for fatalities, especially if they occur late at night or early in the morning, like the accident that occurred Monday morning. This is because, if no one else is around to render aid to the struck pedestrian, and the driver flees the scene, the pedestrian is more likely to succumb to their injuries.
Hawaii law (§291C-12.5) specifically states that “The driver of any vehicle involved in a collision resulting in substantial bodily injury to any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the collision until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 291C-14.”
If the driver does not stop and flees the scene, they are guilty of a class C felony, and may be subject to other penalties if the pedestrian dies or suffers severe injuries.
Legal Options For Hit and Run Victims and Their Families
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a hit and run accident, you may have legal options. Victims and their families may be eligible to file personal injury or wrongful death claims and obtain compensation for things such as:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of financial support
- And more
“Our hearts go out to the victim and their family of the fatal hit and run that occurred in Kahului early Monday morning,” says Julia Bryant, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “While we know nothing can bring their loved one back and ease that pain, we hope that officials find the driver so the family may find some closure. It is important for this victim’s family, and others facing similar situations, to know that they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury attorney to learn more about their options.”
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a hit and run accident then contact Singleton Schreiber by calling (808) 582-8062 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.
