3-car collision Monday kills California woman

WAILUA — A 67-year-old California woman died Monday as a result of a three-vehicle crash in Wailua, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department.

The crash was reported at around 12:40 p.m. in the vicinity of mile marker 5.5 on Kuhio Highway. Personnel from the Kaua‘i Fire Department and KPD 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 Kapa‘a man, were both headed southbound on Kuhio Highway.

An impact occurred between the front of the dump truck and the rear of the Lexus sedan, which caused the Lexus to spin out of control across the highway and into opposing traffic, according to KPD. The Lexus was then struck broadside by a 2009 Toyota pick-up truck, operated by a 65-year-old Kalaheo man.

The 67-year-old California woman, whose name has not been released, was the front seat passenger of the Lexus sedan. She sustained life-threatening injuries and died at Wilcox Medical Center. 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 pick-up 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 did not sustain any injuries.

Kuhio Highway was closed between North and South Leho Drive for about three hours while KPD’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 241-1615.

This is Kaua‘i’s second traffic fatality this year.