A 17-year-old motorcyclist is fighting for his life after a hit-and-run crash late Sunday on South King Street in Honolulu's Moiliili neighborhood. Emergency crews rushed the teen to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition, and Honolulu police have opened a criminal investigation as they work to track down the driver involved.
Police say the collision happened at about 10:19 p.m., when the teen was riding an e-motorcycle westbound on South King and was struck by a female motorist turning left into the 7-Eleven at 2646 South King Street. Investigators say the driver briefly got out of her car to check on the rider, then left heading westbound without offering help or providing contact information. The vehicle was later found parked and unattended. The rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Investigation and witnesses
Honolulu police say the driver remains unidentified, and investigators have not yet determined whether speed, drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. The Traffic Division is leading the investigation and is asking anyone who saw the collision or who has video of the area to come forward. Tipsters can contact HPD's Traffic Division at (808) 723-3413, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
Legal consequences
Hawaii law requires drivers involved in collisions that cause serious bodily injury to stop, stay at the scene and provide reasonable assistance. Leaving instead can bring felony charges under HRS §291C-12, according to the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
South King’s safety record
South King Street has seen several serious crashes in recent months, and local coverage has flagged a pattern of hit-and-run incidents along the corridor. One recent account of a pre-dawn McCully hit-and-run that left a 27-year-old moped rider hospitalized has added to neighborhood concerns about safety on the busy route.
