LIHU‘E — The family of a woman who was struck and killed by a vehicle Saturday are on-island and asking for witnesses to come forward as they plan events to celebrate her life.
Jill Garnett, 26, of Waimea, was struck and killed by a vehicle Saturday morning as she was walking west on the eastbound shoulder of the Kaumuali‘i Highway near the Kipu Road junction in Puhi. She was struck by an eastbound SUV.
The driver, Robert Yount, 82, of Kalaheo, was not injured. He was booked for second-degree negligent homicide.
“From what we know, she was walking on the road and got struck,” said Joseph Garnett, Jill’s older brother. “That is all the information they are giving us, and we really want closure and so that she can rest in peace.”
Jill’s friends and family are organizing an event to celebrate her life. It will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at MacArthur Park at Kekaha Beach in Waimea.
Joseph and his mother, Kim Garnett, traveled to Kaua‘i from Huntington Beach, Calif. A younger brother, David, was not able make the trip.
Jill was also from Huntington Beach, where she graduated high school and was a graduate of the Junior Lifeguard program. She had lived in Waimea for the past six years and was employed as a tour scheduler for Na Pali Explorer.
Jill was not married and had no children, but she was very connected to the community, according to Joseph. Many of Jill’s friends on Kaua‘i had been meeting with her family to share their grief over this tragic loss.
“Jill had a big heart,” Joseph said. “She was always a happy and loving person, who was very giving and never took anything for granted. She lived life as it came.”
For information on the event contact Joseph Garnett at (714) 697-4940 or email rfee0612@yahoo.com.
