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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 7, 2010

Kaimuki High senior killed, 6 teens hurt in pickup truck rollover


Advertiser Staff

An 18-year-old Waipahu woman was killed early this morning when the truck in which she was a passenger overturned on Roosevelt Avenue near Fort Barrette Road in Kalaeloa. The Honolulu medical examiner's office identified her as Melissa Miranda.

Miranda was a senior at Kaimuki High School, principal Penelope Tom said.

Six other people were injured in the accident, one critically. Police said an eighth occupant was unhurt.

Police Lt. David Nilsen said the Toyota pickup was headed east on Roosevelt at about 1:30 a.m. when the driver lost control and the vehicle left the road.

Nilsen said that as the driver tried to steer the truck back onto the road, it rolled over and ended up in the middle of Roosevelt.

Nilsen could not say how many of the passengers were in the bed of the truck.

He said all of the truck's occupants were from Honolulu town addresses and were 17 or 18 years old.

The 18-year-old driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide, police said. Charges against her are pending further investigation.

Bryan Cheplic of the city's Emergency Services Department said paramedics were dispatched at 1:40 a.m.

He said the woman who was killed was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:17.

Cheplic said paramedics took the others to a trauma center. He said one person was in critical condition and five were in serious condition.

Police said the woman is the 22nd traffic fatality this year, compared with 25 at this time last year.