California Woman Dies After 3-Car Crash in Wailua

A California woman is dead after a three-car crash in Wailua Monday, Nov. 1.

The crash was reported at approximately 12:40 p.m. Kauaʿi firefighters and Kauaʿi police and were dispatched to the scene, just south of the North Leho Drive intersection near Lydgate Beach Park.

According to a preliminary report, a gray 1997 Lexus sedan, operated by a 63-year-old California woman, and a 2007 Ford dump truck, operated by a 58-year-old Kapaʿa man, were both headed southbound on Kūhiʻō Highway.

According to authorities, the front of the dump truck and rear of Lexus collided, causing the Lexus to spin out of control across the highway and into opposing traffic. The Lexus was then broadsided by a 2009 Toyota pickup truck, operated by a 65-year-old Kalāheo man.

The victim, a 67-year-old woman, was the front-seat passenger in the Lexus. She suffered life-threatening injuries and died at Wilcox Medical Center. Her name has not yet been released due to pending notification of next of kin.

The driver of the Lexus sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was admitted to Wilcox Medical Center in critical but stable condition.

The driver of the Toyota pickup had minor injuries and was treated and released on scene. The front passenger of the Toyota suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released at Wilcox Medical Center.

The driver of the Ford dump truck was not injured.

Kūhiʻō Highway was closed between North and South Leho Drive for approximately three hours while the Kauaʿi Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section conducted an investigation. North and southbound traffic was diverted onto Leho Drive.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Traffic Investigator Shawn Hanna at 808-241-1615.

This is Kauaʿi’s second traffic fatality this year.