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Maui police reported that the 65-year-old pedestrian who was struck by a transit van on Friday morning in Kahului has died in the hospital due to injuries sustained in the accident. Police identified the victim as Randal Takatani.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Ho-okele Street and Pakaula Street Friday morning around 9:30 am. According to the Maui Police Department, Takatani was crossing Pakaula Street in a marked crosswalk when a white 2019 Ford F250 Transit van struck him. The transit van was making a right turn from Ho’okele Street onto Pakaula Street when it struck Takatani.
The collision caused Takatani to suffer critical injuries. He was taken to the emergency room at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead early Saturday morning.
After the accident, the driver of the van, a 54-year-old woman from Kihei, remained on scene and waited for police to arrive. According to preliminary investigations, neither speed, nor drugs and alcohol seem to be a factor in causing the collision. Police will continue to investigate.
Common Causes of Pedestrian vs. Car Accidents
Car accidents occur everyday, however, often they are preventable. Some common causes of car accidents include:
Driver-Related Causes
- Distracted Driving: engaging in activities like using a cell phone, eating, or even chatting with passengers can divert a driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding: driving over the speed limit greatly reduces driver’s reaction time for stopping or maneuvering to avoid accidents.
- Failure to Yield: not giving the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections.
- Impaired Driving: driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can reduce your reaction time, reflexes, and reduce your ability to drive safely.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals: engaging in behaviors such as running red lights or stop signs can cause collisions.
Pedestrian-Related Causes
- Jaywalking: crossing streets outside of designated crosswalks or intersections.
- Distracted Walking: using cell phones or wearing headphones can reduce the pedestrians awareness of their surroundings.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals: crossing streets against the signal or not waiting for the pedestrian signal.
- Assumption of Right of Way: assuming that drivers see and will stop for the pedestrian automatically.
- Alcohol or Drug Impairment: walking under the influence can impair judgment and reaction times, and cause pedestrians to engage in unpredictable behavior.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and community of Randal Takatani,” says Brett Schreiber, attorney of Singleton Schreiber, “As a personal injury attorney I’ve seen firsthand the toll a devastating loss like this can take on the community. It is important that Takatani’s family knows they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury attorney to learn more about their options.”
In an effort to make the road safer for pedestrians, there are several preventative measures both pedestrians and drivers can take to help pedestrians stay safe.
For drivers:
- Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving
- Obey posted speed limits and traffic signals
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
- Drive sober
- Use headlights when necessary
For pedestrians
- Use crosswalks and pedestrian signals when crossing roads
- Stay alert and avoid distractions while walking
- Make eye contact with drivers before entering crosswalks or the road
- Wear clothing that promotes your visibility, especially at night
- Avoid walking under the influence
If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian vs car accident you may have grounds for compensation. To learn more contact Singleton Scheiber today by calling (808) 582-8062 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.
