A three-vehicle traffic collision in Līhu‘e over the weekend left several people injured and closed a portion of Kāpule Highway for two and a half hours.
Kaua’i Police Department responded to the crash on Aug. 2 at 1 p.m., just south of the Kūhiō Highway (Route 56) junction. The vehicles involved were a red 2019 Ford F-250 truck, a silver 2015 Toyota Yaris, and a gray 2015 Nissan Frontier truck.
A preliminary investigation indicates that the Ford F-250, which was being driven by a 72-year-old man from Līhu’e, was traveling south on Kāpule Highway when it crossed the center line into oncoming, northbound traffic and collided head-on with the Toyota Yaris, according to a news release from Kaua‘i County.
The impact forced the Toyota Yaris off the roadway and onto the shoulder of Kāpule Highway.
The Ford F-250 then struck the Nissan Frontier on the rear driver’s side fender. This caused both vehicles to move off the roadway and onto the northbound shoulder.
The driver of the Ford F-250 and his 71-year-old woman passenger, also from Līhu’e, suffered serious injuries. They were treated at Wilcox Medical Center and later released.
The Toyota Yaris had three occupants inside it. The driver was a 49-year-old woman of Kapa’a. The two passengers were women, a 50-year-old from Līhu’e, and a 54-year-old from Kōloa. All suffered serious injuries and were treated at Wilcox Medical Center and later released.
The Nissan Frontier driver, a 47-year-old man from Kōloa, also suffered serious injuries and was treated at Wilcox Medical Center and later released.
The northbound lane of Kāpule Highway was closed for approximately two and a half hours while KPD’S Traffic Safety Section conducted an on-scene investigation. Northbound traffic was diverted onto the southbound lane around the scene of the accident. Southbound traffic was diverted through Hanamāʻulu on Kūhiō Highway.
Speed and impairment do not appear to be contributing factors. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is urged to call Officer Tyler Henshaw at 808-241-1616. Those wishing to remain anonymous may provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kaua’i at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at crimestopperskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kaua’i P3 Tips Mobile App.
