Oregon man dies in Kapa‘a traffic collision

KAPA‘A — A 77-year-old man has died from injuries sustained from a two-car collision in Kapa‘a Wednesday afternoon.

The collision occurred before 2 p.m. on the Kuhio Highway, between Mailihuna and Kawaihau Roads, fronting the Kaiakea fire station.

The man who died was from Oregon and was a passenger in a Chevrolet HHR that was on the northbound shoulder of the highway, according to county officials.

The vehicle was attempting to enter the northbound lane when a Ford truck, heading north, struck the car’s driver side.

Firefighters, police and medics responded to the scene. Medics transported both the female driver and male passenger of the HHR to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

The man was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital. Police have not yet released his identity.

The 71-year-old female driver remains at Wilcox in stable condition.

The 62-year-old male driver of the Ford truck did not report any injuries.

The Kuhio Highway was closed in both directions for more than two hours, and northbound traffic was diverted onto Kawaihau Road, while southbound traffic was diverted onto Mailihuna Road. Both lanes reopened before 5 p.m.

This is Kauai’s first traffic fatality for the year.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified one of the vehicles as a PT Cruiser. The car was a Chevy HHR. Also, the victim was 77 years old.