A tragic incident occurred in Kahului yesterday morning, resulting in the death of a 71-year-old local woman. In the event, which took place at 11:17 a.m. yesterday, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing an intersection in her electric wheelchair. According to a report by KHON2, the collision happened near the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center at the crossroads of West Wakea Avenue and Onehee Avenue.
The pedestrian, reportedly a Kahului resident, was critically injured after a silver 2024 Lexus SUV turned left onto West Wakea Avenue, colliding into her. The operator of the Lexus was a 69-year-old Wailuku woman, who, remained on the scene, cooperating with the authorities. Police have indicated that speed does not seem to be a contributing factor to the accident. Following the incident, the injured woman was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, where, she later died. This incident marks the ninth traffic fatality in Maui County for the year 2024, a slight increase from the previous year’s count at this time, as KHON2 reports.
Further information provided by Maui Now details that the accident occurred as the woman was navigating northbound within the marked crosswalk on West Wākea Ave. The Lexus driver's use of a seatbelt was confirmed, and airbags did not deploy during the incident. As the investigation continues, police are yet to determine whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
