Kapa‘a Woman in Critical Condition Following Traffic Crash

A Kauaʻi woman is in critical condition following a traffic crash earlier this week in Kapa‘a.

According to a preliminary investigation by Kauaʻi police, a 50-year-old Kapa‘a woman and 52-year-old California woman were hospitalized at Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe after being struck on a marked crosswalk while crossing Kūhiō Highway at about 7 p.m. Monday near the 9-mile marker in Kapa‘a by a Chevrolet pickup truck operated by a 65-year-old Kapa‘a man.

The Kapa‘a woman is in critical condition, while the California woman is in stable condition.

“Our hearts are with the two women involved in this tragic incident, and we are praying for them and their families,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a press release. “One of the women has been integral in the success of our COVID testing center at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall since Day 1, overseeing all the lab staff at the convention hall and mobile testing facilities.”

Speeding and impairment are not suspected factors in the crash; however, the investigation is ongoing.

“In the past few weeks, we’ve had three major traffic crashes on Kaua‘i,” Kaua‘i Police Chief Todd Raybuck said in the press release. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their loved ones. This is a painful reminder to motorists to remain cautious and be aware of their surroundings. As we approach the holiday season, we must be vigilant on the roads.”

Kūhiō Highway was closed in both directions for about 90 minutes while officers with the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section investigated at the scene of the crash.

Visitor Aloha Society of Kaua‘i, a nonprofit that provides emergency needs for visitors, is assisting the family of the California woman.