A devastating head-on collision in Punaluu has now claimed the lives of three women and left another seriously injured. The crash occurred around 8:55 pm on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, on Kamehameha Highway near Puhuli Street.

According to the Honolulu Police Department, a southbound vehicle driven by 28-year-old Katrell Plunkett crossed the center line and collided head-on with a northbound vehicle operated by a 17-year-old girl. The force of the crash caused the southbound car, carrying three passengers, to overturn. Emergency responders from the Honolulu Fire Department had to use hydraulic tools to extricate the victims. 

When first responders arrived, 28-year-old Katrell Plunkett and 18-year-old Miyanna Haiola were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two passengers in the car, a 28-year-old and a 19-year-old, were taken to the hospital in critical condition. On Wednesday, June 25, the 28-year-old passenger succumbed to her injuries, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office. The 19-year-old passenger remains in critical condition. 

The 17-year-old driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. 

Officials say none of the occupants of the southbound vehicle were wearing seatbelts. Speed is believed to be a contributing factor. Authorities have not yet determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role. 

If you or a loved one has been affected by a serious collision in Hawaii, contact Singleton Schreiber today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights. 

Understanding the Risks of High-Speed Collisions on Hawaii’s Roads

High-speed driving on narrow, two-lane roads like Kamehameha Highway can quickly turn deadly. Unlike highways with center dividers or wider shoulders, these roads offer little room for error, and even less room to recover if a vehicle crosses the centerline. When combined with excessive speed, the margin for safety disappears entirely. 

In this crash, police believe speed was a major factor. Vehicles traveling too fast for the conditions are more likely to drift into opposing lanes, lose control, and cause collisions that are often head-on, the most dangerous type of crash due to the combined impact forces. Failure to wear seatbelts likely added to the severity of the injuries in this accident, as seatbelts often significantly reduce the risk of fatal injury by keeping occupants secured in the vehicle. 

“Driving too fast on roads like Kamehameha Highway leaves no room for error,” says Brett Schreiber, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber, a personal injury law firm. “The consequences can be immediate and irreversible. We extend our deepest condolences to the families involved and encourage every driver to slow down, for their safety and that of everyone else on the road.” 

Legal Options Available to the Victims and Their Families 

Victims of crashes like this one, and their families, may be entitled to pursue legal action to seek accountability and compensation. 

Multiple parties may have legal recourse following this tragic crash, including:

• The 17-year-old driver who was struck while traveling in her lane may be entitled to a personal injury claim to recover damages for her injuries and emotional trauma. 
• The families of the deceased passengers may be able to pursue wrongful death claims if the crash was caused by the driver’s negligence
• The injured passenger and their family may be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation for medical expenses, physical injuries, and emotional trauma, especially if the crash was caused by the driver’s negligence
• The driver’s family may have limited legal options if a vehicle defect or mechanical failure is found to have contributed to the crash 

Possible compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Loss of income or earning potential
• Loss of companionship or support

To better understand your rights after a serious or fatal car crash, contact Singleton Schreiber to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we may be able to help you. 

A deadly collision occurred Tuesday afternoon, June 17, 2025, on Interstate 5 near Ashland in Jackson County, Oregon, claiming the life of one California man and seriously injuring another. According to the Oregon State Police, the crash took place around 2:50 pm near milepost 4 when a northbound black Honda Civic, driven by 68-year-old Terielizabeth Smead of Lemon Grove, California, veered out of its lane and struck a parked Freightliner semi-truck on the shoulder of the highway. 

The impact of the collision fatally injured passenger Harry Smead, 74, also of Lemon Grove, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Terielizabeth Smead was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The truck’s driver, identified as 30-year-old Shekib Hakimi of Carmichael, California, was reportedly unharmed. 

The crash prompted a multi-agency response and shut down traffic for approximately five hours. Several authorities, including the Oregon State Police, Ashland Fire and Rescue, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, are currently investigating the incident to determine what led to the fatal impact. 

If you or a loved one has been injured by this tragedy, contact Singleton Schreiber to discuss your legal options and receive compassionate, experienced guidance. 

The Risks of Interstate Shoulder Collisions

Accidents involving vehicles parked on highway shoulders are more common than many realize and can be especially deadly. Although breakdown lanes and shoulders exist for emergencies, parked commercial vehicles like semi-trucks pose serious risks if not adequately marked, lit, or positioned. 

Several factors may contribute to these types of crashes, including: 

• Driver fatigue or distraction, causing a vehicle to drift out of its lane
• Poor visibility, particularly in shaded or high-traffic areas
• Improper or unsafe parking by truck drivers who stop too close to the active roadway
• Mechanical failure, prompting emergency stops on high-speed roadways

When a collision occurs with a stationary vehicle, especially a large commercial truck, the outcome can be catastrophic due to the sheer weight and force involved. These incidents are a reminder of the dangers drivers face daily on major highways and the importance of careful roadway design, vehicle maintenance, and driver vigilance.

“At Singleton Schreiber, we’ve represented far too many families devastated by preventable highway crashes,” says Gerald Singleton, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber. “Collisions involving parked commercial vehicles often raise serious safety questions, and victims deserve a legal team that knows how to uncover the truth and fight for accountability.” 

Gerald Singleton is an experienced trial attorney licensed in both Oregon and California, with over 20 years of experience handling complex, high-stakes cases across both states. 

Legal Options for the Victims and Their Families

In the wake of serious crashes like this one, victims and their families may be entitled to pursue compensation through personal injury or wrongful death claims. But determining who is legally responsible isn’t always straightforward. In this case, investigators will likely consider a range of factors, including whether:

• The semi-truck was legally and safely parked on the shoulder
• The driver of the Civic became incapacitated or distracted
• Road design, signage, or visibility contributed to the crash
• State or federal transportation regulations were violated by either party

Even when a driver veers off the roadway, the presence of a large, parked commercial vehicle near traffic lanes can complicate the situation, particularly if safety protocols weren’t followed. Legal liability may rest entirely with one party or be shared between multiple parties, depending on the circumstances. 

Compensation in these types of cases may cover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills
• Loss of income
• Emotional distress
• And more

For those impacted by such a traumatic event, pursuing a legal claim may help provide closure and financial stability in the face of overwhelming loss. 

If you or someone you love has been affected by a highway collision, don’t navigate the aftermath alone. Contact Singleton Schreiber for a free consultation to learn how we can help you seek justice and protect your rights. 

Daniel Landry, a 78-year-old Santa Cruz man, was killed and four others were seriously injured in a crash that occurred on Highway 17 last Saturday night.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Landry’s vehicle, a Honda Element, entered oncoming traffic near Sugarloaf Road just before 10 pm.  The Honda Element collided with a Tesla Model Y, also causing a subsequent rear-end crash involving a Honda Accord.

Mr. Landry died at the scene as a result of his injuries, despite heroic life-saving efforts by bystanders and medics.

Four others, including the Tesla driver, a 19-year-old from Antioch, two passengers of the Tesla vehicle, and a female passenger from Mr. Landry’s vehicle, were hospitalized with serious injuries.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

According to attorney Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber Injury Attorneys, collisions involving wrong-way vehicles can occur for a number of reasons.  “While no official cause has been released, there are many potential reasons vehicles enter or turn into oncoming traffic.   It could involve weather or visibility conditions, confusion or lack of familiarity with the area, drug or alcohol impairment, or even a medical emergency.” Schreiber continued, “Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that a person has lost their life and four others have been seriously injured.”

Options for Those Involved

In serious motor vehicle collisions like this, victims are often left with severe injuries or, as in the case of Daniel Landry, taken away from loved ones forever.  Unfortunately, these situations also come with steep financial costs for medical treatment, damaged property, and lost wages.  Fortunately, victims may have legal options.

“Without all of the details of the crash, it’s difficult to say what options may be available to victims in this crash,” Schreiber said.  “Depending on the facts, multiple parties may be legally responsible, including the driver of the at-fault vehicle or government entities in the event that there was an issue with the roadway.  It’s important that those involved speak with an attorney to help them understand their options as soon as possible.”

Singleton Schreiber Can Help

If you or a loved one were hurt in this crash, an experienced attorney may be able to help.  Singleton Schreiber has helped thousands of injured Californians recover compensation for their losses.  While it can be difficult to think about a potentially complex legal or insurance process, their attorneys are here to help during what can be the most difficult time in your or your loved one’s life.  They offer a free and confidential case evaluation and never charge a fee unless they win.