9-year-old killed after possible brake failure in truck crash, Hawaii officials say

A 9-year-old girl was killed and seven people were injured in a pickup truck crash near Mauna Kea, Hawaii on Jan. 1, local authorities said.

Police suspect that brake failure caused the crash, which occurred at around 3:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Hawaii Police Department.

A driver in a 2018 Toyota Tacoma was traveling on Mauna Kea Access Road and seemingly lost control of the vehicle when the brakes failed to respond, the release said. The pickup truck then crossed the roadway, veered off the left shoulder and crashed into a ravine. It was raining at the time of the incident.

There were five people inside the truck at the time, and another three people in its bed, the release said. All of the occupants sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

A 9-year-old girl, who was sitting in the cab of the truck, was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead at around 5:03 p.m., the release said.

Other occupants included the driver, who was a 40-year-old woman, and a 33-year-old man, and both were airlifted to a hospital on Oahu. Another occupant, a 3-year-old boy, was airlifted to another medical center on Oahu for treatment and evaluation, the release said.

Officers suspect that the truck was speeding when it lost control, Hawaii News Now reported.

This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 10:59 AM with the headline "9-year-old killed after possible brake failure in truck crash, Hawaii officials say."