Woman killed after being hit by car

A woman who was hit by a car being driven by an alleged intoxicated motorist along 16th Highway in Sadog Tasi Sunday midnight died yesterday morning.

Department of Public Safety acting spokesman Sgt. Thomas A. Blas Jr. said the victim, a Chinese, about 20 to 30 years old, suffered head injuries, internal injuries, and fractured lower extremities and pelvis.

Blas said the Commonwealth Health Center informed DPS at 8am yesterday that the victim had passed away.

Blas said the driver, Rasco Lee Yamada, 32, a Palauan, was arrested at the scene of the accident for driving while under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving.

The DPS spokesman said that additional charges may be filed against Yamada following the death of the pedestrian and the completion of the investigation.

Blas said that DPS received a report of an auto-pedestrian crash that occurred along 16th Highway (Isa Drive) near the Amiga Market on Sunday at 12:37am.

He said on-scene investigation conducted by Traffic Officer Michael Langdon showed that a gray Nissan Altima four-door sedan being driven by Yamada was traveling west (downgrade) on Isa Drive.

The pedestrian tried to cross the road from the shoulder of the westbound lane, but the car hit her.

Blas said medics responded and transported the victim to CHC.

Police apprehended Yamada at the scene and detained him at the Department of Corrections in Susupe. After a few hours, he was released from DOC.

“The driver of the vehicle has been released from custody, but investigation is ongoing. Depending on the result of the investigation by the Traffic Investigation Unit who are in communication with the Attorney General’s Office, the driver may be looking at additional charges,” Blas said.

It was the second fatal vehicular accident that happened on Saipan in one week.

On Oct. 22, a motorist died after a van he was driving encroached into the opposite lanes and struck a telephone pole and a fire hydrant on Beach Road, Garapan.

Traffic investigators ruled out alcohol and speed as factors in the crash.

A day before the Garapan accident, a driver of a 2005 Hyundai Accent was seriously injured when his car ran off the roadway and overturned in a water drainage on the shoulder of the road in As Perdido.

Traffic investigators determined that the driver, Neprum Nesiu Siech, 33, a Chuukese, was drunk.

Police said Siech will be charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and refusal to submit to a blood test, as well as other traffic violations.