Two injured following two-car crash on Kūhiō Highway

Two people were medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu following a two-car crash on Kūhiō Highway on Sunday that closed a portion of the road for three hours.

The crash occurred in Moloa‘a near Ko‘olau Road at approximately 1:55 a.m. According to Kaua‘i police, a sedan was traveling south on Kūhiō Highway when it rear-ended a pickup truck.

Police and medics responded to the scene. The pickup truck was located on the northbound shoulder of the highway and was occupied by a minor driver and passenger. Both occupants were transported to the Wilcox Medical Center and later flown to O‘ahu for further treatment.

On Monday, the passenger in the pickup truck was identified as 16-year-old Pulelehua Sylvester when a GoFundMe page was started for Sylvester and her mother, Sommer Kauakahi.

“Pulelehua was a passenger in a truck that was coming from the North Shore and was hit at a standstill while turning left at the Moloa’a fruit stand by a drunk teenager at high speed from behind,” the page states.

“Lifeline flew her over to the Queens Neuro ICU on Oahu. She has brain bruising/little bleeding, no broken bones beside her nose, and some lacerations to her face.”

The fundraiser has a goal of $25,000 and has raised more than $21,000 in less than 24 hours, with 227 donations as of Tuesday morning.

The county report stated that the minor driver of the sedan did not report any injuries. The minor was detained on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and first-degree negligent injury.

The crash remains under investigation.

Kūhiō Highway was closed in both directions for approximately three hours while KPD’s Traffic Safety Section conducted an on-scene investigation. Speed and impairment appear to be factors in the crash.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call Officer Himongala at 808-241-1617. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi P3 Tips Mobile App.