UPDATE: Kula Man Medevaced from Piʻilani Hwy Crash Near ʻUlupalakua
By Maui Now Staff
UPDATE: 8 p.m., 8/26/14.
The incident was reported at around 12:53 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, near mile 17 of the highway, east of Ulupalaku and the Tedeschi Winery.
According to police reports, the man was operating a 2005 Buick and was headed south on the highway towards Kaupō when he drove onto the makai shoulder, then over-corrected back onto the roadway, and lost control of the vehicle.
Police say the vehicle subsequently crossed left of center into the oncoming lane of traffic, and crashed into the mauka shoulder rock embankment.
All three passengers in the vehicle, including two men ages 26 and 20, and a 16 year-old boy, all from Keʻanae, were also transported to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Police say the vehicle airbags did not deploy and the use of seatbelts is undetermined at this time.
Maui Police Sergeant William Hankins with the department’s Vehicle Homicide Unit filed an accident synopsis saying the involvement of speed, drugs and alcohol has not been determined as the investigation is still pending.
UPDATE: 5:44 p.m., 8/26/14. The Piʻilani Highway near Mile 17 is now OPEN.
UPDATE: 2:43 p.m. 8/26/14. The Piʻilani Highway near Mile 17 is now CLOSED following a motor vehicle accident in the area. The accident was reported earlier this afternoon in the area east of ʻUlupalakua and the Tedeschi Winery. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: 1:35 p.m. 8/26/14. Road delays due to a motor vehicle accident on the Piʻilani Highway near Mile 17, east of ʻUlupalakua and the Tedeschi Winery. The road remains open, but motorists can expect delays.