In the quiet hours of early Sunday morning, a serious crash occurred on Maui, leaving three teenagers hospitalized. The incident unfolded on Honoapiilani Highway near Keka'a Drive in Kaanapali. According to KHON2, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a gold 2002 Toyota 4Runner, manned by an 18-year-old driver, veered off the road. The vehicle subsequently collided with multiple traffic markers before starting to roll over, ultimately ejecting the driver onto the roadway.
Police have disclosed that the ejected driver, a resident of Wailuku, is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries at Maui Memorial Medical Center. The other two 18-year-old passengers sustained minor injuries and are also hospitalized in stable condition. It has been revealed that two occupants—the driver and the rear passenger—were not secured by seat belts. The investigation has also discovered that the airbags in the Toyota failed to deploy. Alcohol is suspected to have played a role in the crash, although it's yet uncertain whether speed or drugs were additional factors, as reported by KITV.
The Maui Police Department is actively investigating the collision to determine the precise cause. Both initial reports from KHON2 and KITV underline that the teens' decision not to use seat belts and the possible involvement of alcohol are significant concerns in this near-fatal event.
