NR 10-23-23 (KPD responds to two traffic crashes Sunday; one fatality confirmed)

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DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
REIKO MATSUYAMA, MANAGING DIRECTOR

News Release

For Immediate Release: October 23, 2023

KPD responds to two traffic crashes Sunday; one fatality confirmed

LĪHU‘E – The Kaua‘i Police Department responded to two traffic crashes on Sunday. One fatality was confirmed at the first traffic crash, with another motorist in stable condition for the second. 

At approximately 2:45 p.m. Sunday, KPD and Kaua‘i Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a report of a traffic crash involving two vehicles on Kaumuali‘i near mile-marker 6.

According to a preliminary report, a 66-year-old male resident operating a Toyota Tacoma traveling eastbound on Kaumuali‘i Highway rear-ended a Nissan Sentra operated by a 62-year-old man from Washington. The Tacoma lost control, left the roadway, and rolled into the ditch.

While the operator of the Nissan Sentra and his passenger were uninjured, American Medical Response personnel pronounced the operator of the Tacoma dead at the scene. Kaua‘i Police identified the fatality as Ronald Britton of Ōma‘o.

Kaumuali‘i Highway near mile-marker 6 was closed in both directions for approximately 2.5 hours while the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section conducted an on-scene investigation.

Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash at this time. However, the investigation remains ongoing, and toxicology reports are pending.

This is the fourth traffic-related fatality on Kaua‘i this year.

At approximately 4 p.m. Sunday, first responders were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash at the junction of Kaumuali‘i Highway and Waialo Road in ‘Ele‘ele.

According to a preliminary report, a 46-year-old ‘Ele‘ele man traveling northbound on Waialo Road attempted to turn right onto Kaumuali‘i Highway. The motorcyclist lost control and struck a curb. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. First responders treated him at the scene before transporting him to Wilcox Medical Center in stable condition.

Impairment does appear to be a contributing factor in this crash. However, toxicology reports are pending.

The right turn lane of Waialo Road onto Kaumuali‘i Highway was closed for approximately 2 hours while the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section conducted an on-scene investigation.

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