Evening Accident Claims Life of Kula Man

Maui Now Graphic.

A 47-year-old Kula man suffered fatal injuries in a single vehicle crash on the Kula Highway (Hwy 37) on Sunday night.

The accident was reported at around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 near Mile 16.

Police say a white 1995 Honda Civic was being operated by an adult male traveling north on Kula Highway when the operator failed to negotiate a right curve in the road and lost control of the vehicle.

According to police reports, the vehicle left the roadway, collided with a rock embankment and came to rest against a guardrail. Police say the operator was pronounced dead at the scene.

Maui police have since identified the man as 47-year old Manuel Lopes III of Kula.

A preliminary investigation revealed the operator was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The involvement of speed, drugs and alcohol are under investigation.

This was Maui County’s 13th traffic fatality in 2016 compared to 18 at the time last year.

The Kula Highway (Hwy 37) was closed in both directions at Lauie Drive between 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2015 to 3:15 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016.