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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 7, 2008

Motorcycle collision killed 'Ewa Beach man

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer

A man killed Thursday night when his speeding motorcycle broadsided a car filled with teenagers has been identified as Derek Francis, 27, of 'Ewa Beach, officials said yesterday.

Francis was operating a 2006 Yamaha motorcycle "at a high rate of speed" south-bound on Keaunui Drive about 10:15 p.m. when it hit a sedan driven by an 18-year-old 'Ewa woman, police traffic investigators said.

The 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, with five teenagers inside, had stopped at an intersection and was turning left from Noelo Street onto Keaunui Drive when the motorcycle hit it, police said.

Francis was thrown from the motorcycle and pinned under the car, and had to be extricated by firefighters. He suffered injuries to his lower torso and unspecified internal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, police said.

One person in the car, a 17-year-old girl sitting in the front passenger seat, suffered head injuries and was taken to Hawaii Medical Center West in guarded condition, police said. The driver and three other passengers in the car were not seriously hurt but were taken to the hospital for examination.

Police said the speed of the motorcycle appeared to be a contributing factor in the crash. Francis was not wearing a helmet, police said.

The death was the 19th traffic fatality on O'ahu this year, compared with 35 at this time last year, according to police records.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.