A Friday afternoon drive in Kula turned into a life-threatening emergency when an 84-year-old woman’s vehicle ran off Thompson Road, hit a dirt embankment, and partially overturned, according to emergency responders. The single-vehicle wreck left the car facing the opposite direction of travel, triggered a multi-agency response, and sent the Kula resident to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition. Maui police shut down the roadway while crews worked the scene.
What happened
The crash was reported at about 1:11 p.m. last Friday on Thompson Road, roughly one mile south of the intersection with Kēōkea Place. Police said a maroon 2019 Subaru Crosstrek heading northbound lost control while negotiating a left bend, left the roadway, hit a dirt embankment, and partially overturned before coming to rest facing southbound, according to Hawaii News Now.
Road closure and response
Maui police temporarily closed both directions of Thompson Road as firefighters and medics responded, and the roadway was fully reopened at 5:01 p.m., according to Maui Now. A separate Maui Now report noted that the vehicle involved was a maroon 2019 Subaru Crosstrek and that the driver was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition while crews cleared the crash site.
Investigation and safety notes
Investigators said the woman was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. The roles of speed, alcohol and drugs have not yet been determined as the investigation continues, officials said, according to Hawaii News Now. Authorities have not released the driver’s name, and anyone with information is asked to contact Maui police as detectives follow up on the case.
