Pedestrian hit on Farrington is sixth killed there this year

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the hit-and-run driver who fatally injured a pedestrian Monday in Waianae and are reminding the public of traffic safety after six pedestrians were killed this year in a 7-mile stretch of Farrington Highway on the Leeward Coast.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office identified Monday’s victim as 46-year-old Waianae resident Allen Ramos.

Police said a dark-colored SUV traveling east on Farrington hit Ramos, who was in a marked crosswalk near Hakimo Road, at about 11 p.m. and left the scene. Paramedics took Ramos to the hospital, where he died early Tuesday morning.

Ramos’ death comes one day after a pedestrian was killed Sunday night crossing Farrington near Puhano Road. The unidentified woman was not in a marked crosswalk when she was hit by a 60-year-old man driving a car.

Just last week a community meeting was held in Waianae to discuss ways of improving pedestrian safety on Farrington.

All six fatalities were between Pohakunui Avenue and Kaupuni Street. Two were during the first two weeks of the year, one was in April and another was in May.

Maj. Darren Izumo, head of the Police Department’s Traffic Division, said Tuesday that of the six pedestrian fatalities on Farrington, four were not in a marked crosswalk.

Half of the 28 traffic deaths on Oahu this year involved pedestrians, Izumo said. At this time last year, there were 11 pedestrian fatalities compared with 15 for the same period in 2014.

Izumo urged both motorists and pedestrians to remain alert, adding that last week police stepped up traffic enforcement across the island for both pedestrians and drivers. Pedestrians who break the law face a $130 fine, and drivers who don’t stop for pedestrians in crosswalks are required to appear in court. The enforcement will continue through August.

Izumo warned that Farrington is busier than many other major thoroughfares with activity on both sides of the roadway, and accidents at the road’s speed limits, which are lower than other highways, can be deadly.

Pedestrians should try to use crosswalks and not assume drivers can see them. “It’s just you,” he said. “You’ve got to look, listen and use good judgment.”

He also recommended drivers not drive distracted or drowsy and to look out for pedestrians appearing anywhere.