16-year-old Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Hit-and-Run Motorist
According to Maui Now, a 16-year-old female pedestrian was struck and killed at an intersection in Kihei, Hawaii, on Sunday night.
Investigation Ongoing; Police Searching for Driver
The accident occurred at the intersection of the Piilani Highway and Uwapo Road at around 8:50 p.m. local time. Police say a driver in a pickup truck crashed into the girl while she crossed the highway. Following the collision, the truck fled the scene.
According to Maui Now, the 16-year-old girl was in a marked crosswalk when she was hit. The girl was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition, but she would later succumb to her injuries. The fatality marks the 23rd traffic death in 2016 for Maui County.
Maui Now reports that the vehicle involved in the fatal hit-and-run accident may be a blue Dodge or Chevy full-size pickup truck. Police are searching for witnesses or anyone who may have information regarding the vehicle or driver.
Pedestrian-related Traffic Crash Statistics
The following information is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2014, 4,884 pedestrian died in traffic crashes.
- Pedestrian deaths accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
- Ninety percent of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2014 involved a single vehicle.
- In 2014, 18 percent of crashes resulting in pedestrian deaths involved a hit-and-run driver.
