HONOLULU (KHON2) — Wednesday morning, the Honolulu Police Department says that a 14-year-old boy riding an electric motorcycle was killed after colliding with a vehicle in Ewa.
This is the third traffic-related fatality on the island over the last four days. Yesterday, a 20-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries following a motorcycle crash in Waianae, and another single-vehicle crash in Kalihi killed a 51-year-old woman.
This brings traffic fatalities to 54 for 2025, compared to 26 this time in 2024. More than doubled.
Of these accidents, 32 of them, including all three since Sunday, involved motorcycles, mopeds, e-bikes and bicycles.
In light of these tragedies, the Department of Transportation is urging the public to practice road and traffic safety more than ever.
“Utilize the safety equipment that’s out there,” said Robin Shishido, Deputy Director of Transportation for Highways, when asked what to suggest to the public to avoid further tragedies. “Seatbelts, helmets, a lot of the fatalities we’re seeing, over 40% of them don’t have their seatbelts or are not wearing helmets.”
In Wednesday morning’s accident, the 14-year-old rider was not wearing a helmet, and according to police, was in a marked crosswalk against a red palm signal.
This is also true for pedestrians, as DOT says alertness and rule abidance is essential for them as well.
“We’re seeing a lot of fatalities with folks that are just not obeying the traffic control devices,” said Shishido. “Pedestrians crossing not in a crosswalk, or even walking against the don’t walk sign. So again, it’s just everybody slowing down, and obeying the traffic laws out there.”
The Honolulu Police Department is also urging both drivers and pedestrians to proceed with caution as well.
“Traffic safety is not just the responsibility of law enforcement – it is a shared Kuleana. Whether you are behind the wheel, walking, or riding, each of us plays a role in making sure everyone gets home safely,” said Interim Chief of Police Rade Vanic in a statement.
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Campbell High School also issued a statement following the death of their 14-year-old student this morning, reminding the school community that their crisis intervention team is available for students and all those affected.