UPDATE: Pedestrian Fatally Injured in Piʻilani Hit and Run

Piʻilani Highway fatality. Maui Now graphic.

By Wendy Osher

***UPDATE: Crash investigators are looking for a 2012-2014 Toyota Tacoma truck that is bronze or khaki in color, with fresh damages to the front passenger side grill, fender and headlight area.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Maui Police Department’s Vehicle Homicide Unit at 244-6347, or Police Dispatch 244-6400.

A pedestrian was fatally wounded in a hit and run accident reported late last night on the Piʻilani Highway in South Maui.

The individual has since been identified as Viki Deardorff, 51, of Kīhei.

According to a preliminary investigation, police say Deardorff was struck by a northbound Toyota truck while walking on the Highway.

The incident was reported at around 11:13 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, on the Piʻilani Highway, just south of North Kīhei Road.

Police say the operator of the Toyota that struck the pedestrian fled the scene following the collision and failed to provide assistance.

“Maui Police Vehicle Homicide investigators are actively working to identify the type of model and year of the Toyota truck involved as well as the operator of this vehicle who fled the scene. Investigators have already determined the Toyota truck involved will have damages to the front passenger side of the vehicle,” said Vehicle Homicide Sergeant William Hankins in a press release.  

According to police reports, Deardorff was not within a marked crosswalk during the time of the incident. Police say she sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

This was the ninth traffic fatality on Maui County roads this year compared to four at the same time last year.

It was also the sixth traffic fatality on Maui roadways in the last 11 days, and comes amid a ‘drive safe’ advisory issued by Maui police, urging motorists to slow down, buckle up, and put their phones away. It also comes on the heels of a heightened enforcement effort against distracted driving.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Police say the involvement of speed, drugs and alcohol has not been determined as the investigation is still pending.

The Piʻilani Highway was partially closed at Kaiwahine Street in Kīhei from 11:39 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, to 3:09 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.