The woman who died in what police called an alcohol-related crash Saturday in Waialua was an up-and-coming stand-up paddler and a “loving spirit,” a close friend said.
Sophia Tiare Bartlow, 25, grew up in California and graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in anthropology, said local television and radio personality Betty “Banzai” Depolito.
She was the daughter of Jericho Poppler, a women’s longboarding champion.
Depolito said Bartlow dreamt of finding a sponsor to compete professionally as a stand-up paddler and already won some titles.
“It’s just devastating,” Depolito said by phone. Bartlow was “always full of love and light,” she added. “She made people smile. She was a very loving spirit.”
She said the driver was Bartlow’s boyfriend.
Police said the crash happened at about
10:15 p.m. Saturday when a 35-year-old Waialua man was speeding Kahuku- bound on Waialua Beach Road just west of Haleiwa Road. The driver lost
control, crossed the oncoming lane and hit a mango tree in the front yard of a residence.
Paramedics said the woman was unrestrained and fell out, and the vehicle rolled over her. She was taken in extremely critical condition to a hospital, where she died.
The man was taken in serious condition to a hospital. He was later arrested for investigation of first-degree negligent homicide, drunken driving and driving without a license.
Joseph Calaustro Jr., whose yard was the site of the crash, said he heard a rumbling, thunderous sound and went outside to see the white truck on its passenger side. The truck apparently went through hedges, launched into the air and struck a tree branch more than 10 feet above the ground. The truck landed on the passenger side with the woman pinned underneath.
He said the driver was out and yelling for help. Calaustro and his neighbors pushed the truck off the woman, who was conscious, bleeding and trying to get up despite others’ attempts to calm her.
Police said alcohol and excessive speed contributed to the crash, the third traffic fatality on the island this year.
Depolito said Bartlow lived with her while Bartlow was attending UH and also appeared on her television show, “Flhi Girlz Surfing &Sports.”
Bartlow was 12th in the 2015 Stand Up World Series women’s ranking, according to the Waterman League website. In 2015 she created a GoFundMe page stating her goal of obtaining 2017 world titles in both stand-up paddling surfing and racing. In her rookie year she won the 2014 US SUP surfing tour.