Honoluluadvertiser.com
December 17, 2008
Two killed in collision near Honolulu Airport
Advertiser Staff
Two men were killed early today when a speeding motorcycle broadsided a car near Honolulu International Airport, according to police vehicular homicide investigators.
The horrific impact of the 12:45 a.m. collision at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Camp Catlin Road left a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle so deeply embedded in a 2008 Nissan Altima that only the cycle’s rear wheel was visible.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s office identified one of the victims as Gregg Gurtiza, 35, the car’s driver.
The name of the motorcycle operator, a 24-year-old man, was not released pending notification of family. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene at 1:19 a.m., according to Bryan Cheplic of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.
Police said the motorcycle was speeding westbound on Kamehameha Highway when it struck the car, which had made a left turn headed toward Camp Catlin Road from Nimitz Highway. The impact caused the car to overturn, police said.
Today’s deaths are O‘ahu’s 43rd and 44th traffic fatalities of 2008 compared to 64 by this day last year.
Additional Facts
statewide fatality breakdown
As of today, 104 people have died in traffic accidents this year in Hawai‘i as compared to 127 by this date in 2007.
The updated 2008 island-by-island breakdown as compiled by The Advertiser:
O‘AHU (44) – Vehicle (20 deaths/19 collisions), pedestrian (13), motorcycle (6), moped (3), bicycle (2). Last fatal: Dec17. This month: 2. Last month: 1.
BIG ISLAND (27) – Vehicle (16), motorcycle (8), pedestrian (3). Last fatal: Dec. 13. This month: 2. Last month: 3.
MAUI (22) – Vehicle (13 deaths/12 collisions, includes two on Moloka‘i), motorcycle (7), pedestrian (2). Last fatal: Dec. 10. This month: 1. Last month: 4.
KAUA‘I (11) – Vehicle (10 deaths/8 collisions), pedestrian (1). Last fatal: Oct. 29. This month: 0. Last month: 0.