Maui Man Succumbs to Injuries From New Year’s Eve Crash in Haʻikū

A Haʻikū man has died of injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle crash on Ulumalu Road on New Year’s Eve.

Tanner Mortenson, 32, succumbed to injuries on Monday morning, Jan. 4, 2021 while at the Maui Memorial Medical Center, police said.

He was involved in a single vehicle crash reported at 8:32 p.m. on Dec. 31, on Ulumalu Road, south of Kamaliʻi Place in Haʻikū.

Police say a preliminary investigation revealed that the 1998 Toyota 4Runner that Mortenson was operating, was traveling south on Ulumalu Road, when he lost control of the vehicle, crossed the center line and collided into an embankment lined with bamboo trees.

In a preliminary crash report, police said alcohol and speed were believed to be factors related to the crash.

Maui County ends 2020 with 11 fatalities, compared to 23 in 2019, according to police.