UPDATE: Fatal Pedestrian Accident Piilani Hwy / Waipuilani

Piilani Highway file photo by Wendy Osher.

(Update: 10:03 p.m. 3/4/13)

By Wendy Osher

A 49-year-old Kihei woman suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by an oncoming pickup truck while crossing the Piilani Highway in South Maui on foot, police said.

The accident was reported at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013 on the Piilani Highway, at the Waipuilani Road intersection.

A preliminary police investigation reveals that the woman, later identified as Lynnette Marie Korinko, had been walking on the Wailea side of Waipuilani Road, toward the Piilani Highway.

Once she reached the Piilani Highway, police say she paused for Wailea bound traffic to clear, then proceed to walk across the two Wailea bound lanes of travel and stopped on the double solid yellow lines, in between several delineators.

After waiting for some traffic to go by, police say the woman began crossing the two Maalaea-bound lanes of travel.  Once she reached the outside, slow lane of travel, police say the woman collided with a black 2004, Toyota Tacoma that was traveling toward Maalaea.

Sgt. Jamie Becraft, with the Maui Police Department’s Vehicle Homicide Unit, noted that the intersection does not have a crosswalk, and does not allow vehicles coming from Waipuilani Road to turn left onto the Piilani Highway.

Authorities say the 40-year-old Paia man driving the Takoma was uninjured. His 32-year-old male passenger from Haiku was also uninjured.

Maui police say Korinko died of her injuries at around 7:19 p.m. after being transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center.

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

This was the second traffic fatality on Maui County roads compared to three at the same time last year.

(Update: 8:20 p.m.)

The Piilani Highway is now OPEN in both directions. The traffic accident has been cleared. Further details will be posted upon release from the Maui Police Department. Please check back for updates.

(Update: 7:41 p.m. 3/4/13)

The Piilani Highway at East Waipuilani remains closed following a motor vehicle accident reported during the 4 p.m. hour.  Traffic continues to be diverted down side streets, but motorists are reporting significant delays.

Kahului-bound traffic is being diverted down Piikea Avenue; and South-bound traffic is being diverted down East Waipuilani Road.

There is no estimated time on when the Highway will be reopened.  Motorists should avoid the area in the interim.

(Update: 5:53 p.m. 3/4/13)

Piilani Highway at East Waipuilani remains closed in the north-bound direction due to a traffic accident reported earlier this afternoon.

Police say Kahului-bound traffic is being diverted down Piikea Avenue, and South-bound traffic is being diverted down East Waipuilani Road.

(Posted: 4:53 p.m. 3/4/13)

Motorists are advised of a partial road closure on the Piilani Highway due to a motor vehicle accident.

At around 4:53 p.m., on Monday, March 4, 2013, Maui police closed the north bound lane of Piilani Highway in Kihei at the intersection of Waipuilani Road.

There was no estimated time on when the road would be reopened.