The 56-year-old driver of a white 2018 Toyota RAV4 that plowed into three pedestrians Monday in Chinatown, killing one, while allegedly under the influence of a drug, previously had her license revoked for driving under the influence.
The woman told police Monday she had been taking an anti-seizure medication. Police said she was traveling at a high rate of speed, ran a red light and appeared to be inattentive, driving around a van before striking people in the marked crosswalk on North Beretania Street near Maunakea Street.
In 2004 the woman’s license was suspended for 90 days. She was arrested March 5, 2004, for driving under the influence, and pleaded guilty to the charge on May 6, 2004. She was referred to a driving-while-intoxicated program for alcohol assessment and possible treatment.
The driver also has a history of speeding, with four judgments against her for exceeding the speed limit occurring from 2005 to 2011.
On Monday police also arrested her on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and first- and second-degree negligent injury.
She was released Monday pending investigation by the police Vehicular Homicide Section. She has not been charged, and police are not restricting her from driving while the investigation is ongoing.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman who died as Liyi Ma, 69, of Honolulu. The Medical Examiner did not have a cause and manner of death.
The woman’s body was on the hood of the Toyota when it crashed into a blue BMW SUV, pinning her between the two vehicles.
The other two pedestrians hit by the Toyota were a 67-year-old woman, who was critically injured, and a 69-year-old man, who was seriously injured.
The occupants of the BMW sustained minor injuries, including the 42-year-old driver and two children, ages 14 and 8.
The 56-year-old was not available for comment.
