1 Dead in Early Morning Honoapiʻilani Crash

March 18, 2014. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

UPDATE 8:51 a.m. 3/18/2014: The Maui Police Department’s Vehicle Homicide Unit has since identified the female that died in this morning’s crash in Lahaina as 26-year-old Kelley Peterson. Police say Peterson had no local address.

(Original post: 8:16 a.m. 3/18/2014)

A woman suffered fatal injuries when the vehicle she was in struck a traffic pole on the Honoapiʻilani Highway early this morning, according to Maui police.

Maui police say the woman is believed to be in her mid-20s and have not released her name pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

The crash was reported at 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at the Honoapiʻilani Highway/Shaw Street intersection in Lahaina.

According to a police report filed by Maui police’s Traffic Section commander, Lieutenant Ricky Uedoi, a 1990 Toyota Corolla operated by a 30-year-old Lahaina man was traveling north on the highway when the vehicle struck a traffic signal pole within the east median.

The vehicle continued through the intersection and collided into a second traffic signal pole where it came to rest, police said.

As a result of the collision, police say the female riding in the front passenger seat sustained life-threatening injuries, and died after transport to the Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Police say the man driving the car was also taken to the hospital where he was being treated for non life-threatening injuries.

According to police reports, speed may have been a factor in the crash; and the use of alcohol and drugs are pending toxicology results.

Police say the vehicle was not equipped with airbags. The vehicle did have automatic retractable shoulder belts, which were used; but police say both occupants were not wearing lap belts.

The incident was the third traffic fatality on Maui County roads this year and the second this month, compared to two fatalities at the same time last year.