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Pedestrian in fatal Wahiawa freeway crash identified

A 47-year-old woman who died after she was struck by a pickup truck in Wahiawa while she was crossing the H-2 freeway has been identified as Cherie F. Castillo.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office said Castillo of Wahiawa died of blunt force injuries to the head and neck in the collision, which occurred shortly before 3:30 a.m. Friday. The manner of death was classified as an accident.

Police said a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was traveling townbound on the freeway when the vehicle struck Castillo, who was crossing the freeway near Wheeler Army Airfield.

Castillo was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said speed or alcohol were not factors on the part of the driver.

Two other deadly crashes occurred early Friday.

At about 12:40 a.m. in Kailua, a 30-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash after he struck a rock wall on Maunawili Road. The Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Gordon W.L. Kepaa of Kailua. The manner of death was classified as an accident.

At about 12:50 a.m. near Kualoa Ranch, 60-year-old Karllton Gorai Sr. of Kaneohe died after a Nissan pickup truck traveling Kahuku-bound on Kamehameha Highway failed to negotiate a turn and slammed into him.

Police said Gorai was pronounced dead at the scene after he was pinned against a stone wall. The cause of death is pending.

Police arrested the pickup truck driver, described to be in his late 30s, on suspicion of one count of negligent homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He was released pending further investigation.

Friday’s deadly crashes were the 26th, 27th and 28th traffic-related fatalities on Oahu this year compared to 21 at the same time last year.

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