66-year-old Pedestrian Dies in Puunene Collision

(Update:  10:30 a.m. 3/17/2010)

A 66-year-old man suffered fatal injuries when he was stuck by two vehicles while crossing Puunene Avenue on foot early this morning.  The pedestrian died at the scene.

Maui police say the man has no local address, and his identity is being withheld until next-of–kin can be located and notified.  The accident was reported at 5:35 a.m. on Puunene Avenue, south of the Kamehameha Avenue intersection near the Kahului Post Office.

According to police reports, a 2006 Toyota sedan operated by a 21 year old Lahaina woman, struck the pedestrian first.  A second vehicle, a 1992 Mazda pickup truck, operated by a 58 year old Kihei man, was the second vehicle to strike the pedestrian.

The drivers of both vehicles were traveling North on Puunene Avenue when the accident occurred.  Both were wearing seatbelts and were not injured.

The fatality is the 3^rd on Maui County roads this year compared to 4 at the same time last year.

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(Update:  8:40 a.m. 3/17/10)

Puunene Avenue is now open.  The road was closed earlier this morning following an accident near the Kahului Post office reported at around 6 a.m.  The accident forced the temporary closure of the roadway and diversion of traffic while police conducted an investigation.

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(Update:  6:00 a.m. 3/17/10)

Motorists traveling in the Central Maui area are advised of a motor vehicle collision on Puunene Avenue near the Kahului Post Office.  The accident was reported shortly before 6 a.m. and has resulted in lane closures in the area.  North-bound traffic is being diverted onto Hololea Street.  Southbound traffic is being diverted onto Kamehameha and Puunene Avenues.  Maui Police say it is unknown how long the road will be closed.