Oʻahu Traffic Deaths Reach 67; Multiple Crashes

Police are investigating several recent deadly traffic collisions, including incidents on Hawai‘i Island, Oʻahu and in Ngāruawāhia, New Zealand. Near mile marker 43.5 on Highway 19 in Honokaʻa, a pedestrian was struck and pronounced dead; authorities opened a negligent-homicide probe, ordered an autopsy, and said the 53-year-old driver was uninjured and that speed, alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors. In Ngāruawāhia, 59-year-old Craig Read died after being flown to Waikato Hospital with critical injuries following an Oct. 1 car–motorcycle crash; police continue to investigate. On Oʻahu, a 70-year-old pedestrian who crossed against a “Do Not Walk” signal on the Liliha Street on‑ramp to the H‑1 Freeway was struck on Sept. 30 and died weeks later; the 61-year-old driver remained at the scene and investigators say speed, alcohol and drugs do not appear to have contributed. Authorities have appealed for public tips as investigations remain ongoing. The Honokaʻa death is counted as Hawai‘i’s 18th traffic fatality of 2025 (versus 24 at this time in 2024), and the Liliha death raises Oʻahu’s total to 67 this year (versus 35 at the same point in 2024).