Motorcyclist Sustains Life-Threatening Injuries in Piʻilani Crash

Piilani Highway traffic accident. Photo by Charly Espina-Takahama.

By Wendy Osher

An 18-year-old Kīhei man sustained life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle crash on the Piʻilani Highway in South Maui last night, according to Maui police.

The incident was reported at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, near the Kaʻonoʻulu Street intersection.

According to a preliminary police investigation, the injured man was operating a 2008 blue Suzuki motorcycle, and was traveling south on the highway when a 2005 silver Chevrolet sedan traveling in the opposite direction executed a left turn in front of him onto Kaʻonoʻulu Street.

As a result, the motorcyclist collided into the passenger side of the Chevrolet.

The 48-year-old Kīhei man operating the sedan was uninjured, but the motorcyclist was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Piilani Highway traffic accident. Photo by Charly Espina-Takahama.

Police say both the driver side and passenger side airbags of the sedan deployed, and the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to police reports.

Sergeant William Hankins with the department’s Vehicle Homicide Section filed the preliminary report indicating that the involvement of speed, drugs, and alcohol has not been determined, as the investigation is still pending.

The incident forced the closure of the Piʻilani Highway for more than three hours between Ohukai Road and Kūlanihākoʻi Street while police conducted an investigation.

The road was reopened at 10:51 p.m.

Traffic is backed up on Kaʻonoʻulu from South Kīhei to Kenolio. Photo by Charly Espina-Takahama.

(Posted: Friday, Jan. 3, 2014)

Maui police have closed the Piʻilani Highway between Ohukai Road and Kūlanihākoʻi Street due to a motor vehicle accident in the area.

The closure went into effect at around 7:39 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014.

There is no estimated time on when the road will be reopened.

***Check back for further details, which will be posted upon release.

Piilani Highway traffic accident. Photo by Charly Espina-Takahama.

Piilani Highway traffic accident. Photo by Charly Espina-Takahama.