Friends and co-workers were devastated Tuesday over the loss of Aulani Halemano, a popular cook at Outback Steakhouse who was killed while crossing Farrington Highway in Nanakuli on her way to work.

“It’s hard to even think that she’s gone,” said Nathan Meyer, another cook at Outback in Waipio, where Halemano worked off and on for the past 12 years. “She’s amazing. She touches everybody’s hearts.”

Police said Halemano, 32, was crossing Farrington at Mohihi Street in a crosswalk when she was hit by a truck about 8:20 a.m.

She was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center West in extremely critical condition and died soon thereafter.

Police arrested the driver, a 22-year-old Waianae man, on suspicion of second-degree negligent homicide and of driving with a suspended license. He was released later Tuesday, pending investigation.

Some residents of Mohihi Street said Halemano was running across the street against a red light to catch the bus when she was hit.

Kanani Lovelace, the mother-in-law of the driver who allegedly struck Halemano, said she went to the scene after the crash and overheard a witness say Halemano darted into the street.

A Mohihi Street resident, who gave her name only as Kea, said she was in a parking lot nearby when she heard the crash and turned to see the truck dragging the woman before coming to a stop. She said a city bus was across the street at the time.

Kea spoke to a witness who said Halemano was trying to cross Farrington Highway against a red light.

She said she heard police were trying to recover video of the crash from a recycling business on the corner.

Some residents said the intersection is dangerous because the light takes too long between cycles, causing some people to jaywalk or run the red light to get across Farrington.

Another resident on Mohihi Street was in shock that his former neighbor was killed in a crash.

“She’s awesome,” said the man, who gave his name only as Jon. “She’s a real people person. If you need help, she’ll be there.”