2 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents

Two pedestrians died and a bicyclist was critically injured in three separate traffic accidents Wednesday and Thursday.

Police arrested two men in connection with the accidents and are searching for a third driver who fled on a motorcycle from the scene at the 1600 block of South Beretania Street in the Punahou area at 5:25 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

An 89-year-old woman died Thursday morning at a hospital from injuries she suffered in the hit-and-run motorcycle crash. The Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Miyako Hashimoto.

Paramedics took Hashimoto, who was not in a crosswalk, to the hospital in serious condition.

The motorcyclist fell off the bike, then got back on and fled makai on Punahou Street, said Lt. Carlene Lau, a Traffic Division spokeswoman.

The male motorcycle driver is about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and is about 25 to 30 years old, Lau said. He was driving a black enduro-style motorcycle.

The driver also may have injuries to both of his arms from falling off his bike at the crash scene.

In Kalihi Valley, about 9:50 p.m. Wednesday, a sport utility vehicle struck a 38-year-old homeless man crossing Kalihi Street near Manaiki Place. Police said the victim was caught under the black Envoy SUV, driven by a 24-year-old man, and dragged several blocks.

The vehicle stopped at Nalanieha Street near Likelike Highway.

The 38-year-old pedestrian suffered injuries to his head and body and died at the scene, police said.

Officers arrested the 24-year-old driver on suspicion of third-degree negligent homicide.

In Makiki, a Honda sedan hit a 62-year-old man riding his bicycle near Ward Avenue and Lunalilo Street at 2:46 a.m. Thursday, police said. The bicyclist was traveling makai on Ward Avenue and was turning left into Lunalilo Street in a marked crosswalk when he was hit by the sedan, driven by a 26-year-old man, police said.

The bicyclist was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition.

A witness told police the driver of the Honda was traveling Ewa on Lunalilo Street and turning right onto Ward Avenue. However, the Honda driver only slowed for the red light, but didn’t come to a complete stop before making the right turn, Lau said. The bicyclist also crossed when the "do not walk" sign was flashing, Lau said.

Speed and alcohol may be factors in the crash Thursday, Lau said.

Police arrested the 26-year-old driver at the scene on suspicion of drunken driving.

Police closed Ward Avenue in both directions until about 5 a.m., while Traffic Division officers investigated the accident.

The fatalities come during Hawaii’s Pedestrian Safety Month and after a series of pedestrian deaths this summer. Gov. Neil Abercrombie started the third annual observance with a proclamation ceremony on Aug. 6.

This week, Mayor Kirk Caldwell launched a pedestrian safety campaign in Kalihi near the site of three pedestrian deaths earlier this year. One of the mayor’s messages of Walk Wise Hawaii is that pedestrians should look left, look right, then look left again before entering a crosswalk, and continue to look and watch for cars until they finish crossing.

KILLED WHILE WALKING

Pedestrian deaths on Oahu this year include:

>> July 29: Remigio Welle, 68, of Aiea died after he was struck by a car while crossing against the walk signal on Kamehameha Highway near the Middle Street freeway onramp.

>> July 8: Andrew Park Jr., 75, a retired carpenter and former Hawaii Carpenters Union trustee, was killed by a drunken driver. Police said Park was not in a crosswalk while crossing Nuuanu Avenue just south of Bates Street at about 5:15 a.m.

>> June 28: Kenneth Martyn, 71, died when he fell beneath a city bus. Police said Martyn was attempting to board the bus through a side door and fell down when the bus pulled away from the curb. The bus ran over the man’s legs, police said.

>> June 26: Dominador Aguilar Jr., 55, was hit and killed by a city bus before dawn at North King Street and Richard Lane in Kalihi.

>> June 26: Alicia Moreno, 79, died after she was hit by an SUV in a crosswalk on Kailua Road. 

>> Feb. 4: Clarita Ocol, 67, was returning from an early morning walk when a pickup driver struck her in a crosswalk on North King Street between Gulick Avenue and Mokauea Street. 

>> Feb. 26: Barbara Kato, 70, died after she was hit by a garbage truck at about 5:50 a.m. in a marked crosswalk at North King Street and Gulick Avenue.