A 43-year-old man was left in serious condition last Tuesday morning after a vehicle hit him in a marked crosswalk at Coyne Street and University Avenue in Honolulu, then kept going. The driver continued north on University Avenue without stopping, and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital. Police have opened a hit-and-run investigation in the busy University area.
What police say
According to the Honolulu Police Department, the crash happened last Tuesday at about 10:54 a.m. A vehicle was heading east on Coyne Street, then made a left turn onto University Avenue and struck the 43-year-old man as he walked in a marked crosswalk with the walk signal on. The driver, who has not yet been identified, continued northbound and did not stop. HPD's Traffic Division said speed does not appear to be a factor, and it remains unknown whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Investigation and tips
Local coverage places the collision near Puck’s Alley in the University area just before 11 a.m. and notes that witnesses and any available video could be key to tracking down the vehicle and driver, according to Hawaii News Now. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the crash or has dash-cam footage to call the HPD Traffic Division at (808) 723-3413. The investigation is still active.
Pedestrian safety in context
The crash lands in the middle of a broader conversation about pedestrian safety, both in Hawaii and across the country. Recent reports have underscored how often people on foot are seriously hurt or killed, and how tough it has been to reverse that trend. In Honolulu, planners and advocates have called out busy corridors and their crosswalks, including those around the University, as high priorities for redesign, slower speeds, and other protections. Those concerns are detailed by Honolulu Civil Beat and the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Legal consequences and next steps
Hawaii law requires drivers involved in a crash that causes injury to stop, exchange information, and provide reasonable help. Leaving the scene can bring criminal charges as well as civil liability, according to state traffic statutes. Attorneys quoted by The Legal Advocate suggest that victims keep thorough medical records and contact an attorney quickly so evidence can be preserved and insurance issues addressed. Summaries of Hawaii traffic law outline further details on a driver’s duties and the penalties for failing to stop after a collision.
How to help
Anyone with information about the crash or the involved vehicle is urged to contact the Honolulu Police Department Traffic Division at (808) 723-3413. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Detectives say that even small details, such as a partial vehicle description or dash-cam clip, could be crucial to identifying the driver and advancing the case, according to a traffic-media statement from the Honolulu Police Department.
