Kīhei Man Hospitalized After Overnight Crash on Mokulele

Mokulele Highway near fatal. Graphics: Wendy Osher/Maui Now.

By Wendy Osher

A 40-year-old Kīhei man was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center with life-threatening injuries following a motor vehicle crash reported overnight on the Mokulele Highway.

According to reports filed by the Maui Police Department Vehicle Homicide Unit, the involvement of alcohol is suspected, however an investigation is still pending.

The incident was reported at 12:23 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at the intersection of the Mokulele Highway and Mehameha Loop.

Police say a preliminary investigation reveals that the Kīhei man was operating a 2006 Suzuki four-door sedan and traveling east on North Mehameha Loop, when he failed to yield the right of way and entered the intersection.

According to police reports, the Suzuki was struck by a 2015 Nissan four-door sedan traveling south on the Mokulele Highway.  Police say the 65-year-old North Carolina man driving the Nissan sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

Police say airbags in both vehicles deployed.  According to department reports, the operator of the Suzuki was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision.