Second crash involving UTV this week leaves a Kōloa man with serious injuries

A man from Kōloa suffered serious injuries after he was ejected from a utility terrain vehicle following a crash on Kaumuali‘i Highway.

The crash occurred at approximately 6 a.m. Saturday. According to Kaua‘i police, the 60-year-old victim was traveling west on Kaumuali‘i Highway on a Kawasaki UTV near the ‘Ōma‘o Track when he was struck from behind by a 20-year-old man who was driving a 2004 Toyota pickup truck.

The impact caused the UTV to collide with the embankment on the westbound shoulder and roll onto its side, according to a press release from Kaua‘i County. The UTV operator, who was the sole occupant, was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to Wilcox Medical Center, where he remains in serious but stable condition.

The driver of the pickup, also from Kōloa, reported no injuries. He was also the only occupant in the vehicle.

Kaumuali‘i Highway was closed in both directions for approximately two hours as officers with the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section conducted an on-scene investigation. Speed and impairment do not appear to be contributing factors in the crash at this time.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged 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 crimestopperskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi P3 Tips Mobile App.

This is the second crash within days of each other involving a UTV. The first incident occurred on Tuesday, leaving a 19-year-old with serious injuries.