Cause of Piilani Hwy Fatality Ruled Accidental

By Wendy Osher

Kaupo, file photo by Wendy Osher.

A woman who died in a single car crash in South Maui in September died of accidental causes, according to Maui police.

An autopsy report indicates that Rachelle Kibbee, 29, of Kula, died of the combined effects of the ingestion of multiple medications.

Doctor Alvin Omori ruled the death was accidental, and not considered a fatal motor vehicle crash.

The accident was reported at 1:59 p.m. on Friday, September 23 on the Piilani Highway near mile post 17 in the Kula district.

According to police reports, Kibbee was traveling west in a silver 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee when the vehicle she was operating ran off the roadway.  The Jeep entered the westbound shoulder, then traveled across both lanes into the eastbound shoulder where it collided into lava rocks and rolled over, according to police reports.

Kibbee, who was the lone occupant, sustained multiple injuries and died at the scene.

Maui police say the county’s motor vehicle fatality count for 2011 remains at 18 as compared to 11 at the same time last year, in lieu of a subsequent fatality that occurred on Thursday, November 3, 2011 in Kaanapali.