LIHUE — Sam Mitzel was a husband, father and a wedding photographer. He was known for his upbeat attitude, easy smile and cheerfulness. “Sam was just a joyous, happy fellow and I understand he was deeply involved with the church,”
LIHUE — Sam Mitzel was a husband, father and a wedding photographer. He was known for his upbeat attitude, easy smile and cheerfulness.
“Sam was just a joyous, happy fellow and I understand he was deeply involved with the church,” said Elaine LaSota, vice president, Kauai Wedding Professionals Association, a nonprofit industry organization. “He exuded happiness and joy, and was just a really lovely, lovely man.”
The 29-year-old Kilauea man was killed in a crash that occurred around 7:25 p.m. Tuesday. The Dodge SUV he was driving with his father as a passenger was struck head on by a northbound Ford pickup truck that had just sideswiped a southbound Jeep SUV on Kuhio Highway, just south of Wailapa Road.
Mitzel’s SUV overturned and he sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. His 55-year-old father, Keith Mitzel, was transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital, and then medevaced to Queen’s Hospital on Oahu in critical condition. His status was upgraded to stable on Thursday.
The 50-year-old Kilauea woman who was driving the Jeep SUV was transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
James Monroe, 51, was the driver of the Ford pickup. He was treated at Wilcox and arrested upon his release on Wednesday morning for negligent injury and negligent homicide. He has not been charged, county officials said, and the accident remains under investigation.
Sam Mitzel started his career as a wedding photographer and videographer after moving to Kauai in 2007, according to the business website. He leaves a surviving spouse Kirsten and a 1-year-old daughter.
LaSota said the 80 KWPA members agreed to donate Mitzel’s $300 dues he paid in 2013 to a fund that supports the family.
The donation site at www.giveforward.com has raised $4,275 from 68 donations for 9 percent of a $50,000 goal.
After joining in 2013, Mitzel quickly established himself as a fabulous photographer, she said. He was active in the KWPA and well liked by his peers and clients alike, LaSota said.
“He really was one of the good ones and this is really too bad all the way around,” she said.
Mitzel had several photography jobs each week, and his colleagues are also stepping up on the professional side to honor his bookings and not leave wedding parties without a photographer, she said.
“This is something that all of us in the association feel keenly,” LaSota said “Around 80 percent of us are sole proprietor. We also need to take care of the clients on the business side when these tragic things happen.”
