Kula Man Fatally Injured in Pūlehu Road Rollover Crash

Maui fatal crash. Maui Now graphic.

By Maui Now Staff

A 44-year-old Kula man suffered fatal injuries in a rollover crash on Pūlehu Road near the Central Maui Landfill on Thursday afternoon.

Maui police have since identified the victim as Frederick Brittain II.

According to a preliminary investigation, Maui Police say a Toyota pickup truck traveling West on Pūlehu Road, crossed the solid double yellow line and collided into the Ford Ranger pickup truck that Brittain was driving, which was headed in the opposite direction.

The crash was reported at 3:53 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, on Pūlehu Road, about 1.7 miles east of Hansen Road in Kahului.

Police say the 22-year old Waikapū man that was operating the Toyota did not sustain injuries in the crash.  According to police reports, the vehicle’s airbags successfully deployed during the incident.

Police say the Ford pickup rolled over in the crash, and Britain, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time was ejected from the vehicle.  According to police reports, the vehicle was not equipped with airbags.

Sergeant William Hankins with the Maui Police Department’s Vehicle Homicide Section filed an accident synopsis saying the involvement of speed, drugs and alcohol has not been determined as factors, and that an investigation is still pending.

The collision was the 20th traffic fatality on Maui County roads this year compared to 14 at the same time last year.

On another note, Maui police are currently conducting a two week traffic safety enforcement campaign that runs through Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, and includes the Thanksgiving holiday.

Police will be on the lookout for motorists that are speeding, not wearing seat belts, those using a mobile electronic device while driving, and motorists who fail to adhere to traffic sign and red light signals. Police will also be conducting roving DUI patrols and stationary DUI roadblocks throughout the remainder of the year.

The two-week campaign runs through the Thanksgiving holiday and is aimed at ensuring safe roadways for the public.