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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:12 p.m., Monday, July 21, 2008

TRAFFIC FATALITY
Ewa Beach woman, 18, dies on H-1

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

STATEWIDE FATALITY BREAKDOWN

As of today, 62 people have died in traffic accidents this year in Hawai‘i as compared with 76 by this date in 2007.

The updated 2008 island-by-island breakdown as compiled by The Advertiser:

  • O‘AHU (28) — Vehicle (12 deaths/11 crashes; pending confirmation on one death due to medical causes and one case where manner of death is deferred), pedestrian (10), motorcycle (4), moped (1), bicycle (1). Last fatal: July 21. This month: 4. Last month: 7.

  • BIG ISLAND (14) — Vehicle (10), motorcycle (3), pedestrian (1). Last fatal: July 6. This month: 1. Last month: 2.

  • MAUI (12) — Vehicle (6, includes one for Moloka‘i), motorcycle (4), pedestrian (2). Last fatal: July 4. This month: 1. Last month: 2.

  • KAUA‘I (8) — Vehicle (7 deaths/6 crashes), pedestrian (1). Last fatal: July 9. This month: 1. Last month: 0.

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    An 18-year-old woman killed today on H-1 Freeway in Waipahu after exiting a moving vehicle was identified by the Honolulu medical examiner's office as Natasha M. Taualai of 'Ewa Beach.

    Police vehicular homicide investigators said the woman, a passenger in a silver 2000 Mercury two-door sedan, was run over by a 1997 Toyota sedan while lying motionless on the roadway. The incident on the west-bound side of the freeway, 104 feet east of the Kamehameha Highway overpass, was reported to police at 12:10 a.m.

    The 26-year-old driver of the Mercury, an East Honolulu man, and the 'Ewa Beach man, 65, driving the Toyota, were not injured.

    Taualai was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy determined cause of death as multiple internal injuries due to a motor vehicle collision and deferred on manner of death.

    Police are investigating whether Taualai jumped, fell or was pushed from the car but homicide detectives have not been called in, an indication foul play may not be involved.

    Maj. Frank Fujii today asked for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call traffic investigators at 529-3499. Fujii said two vehicles went around the body to avoid hitting it but police are looking for witnesses who may have seen the woman's exit from the vehicle.

    Today's death is tentatively classified as a traffic fatality, pending the ME's determination on manner of death.

    The fatality is the 28th of 2008 and O'ahu's 15th traffic death since May 15.

    The investigation forced traffic closures in the area for nearly five hours. The roadways were reopened at 4:56 a.m.

    Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.