Motorcycle accident claims the life of Kihei resident

On Thursday a vehicle accident occurred on Maui Veterans Highway around 8 a.m. a half mile south of Maui Baseyard Road in Kahului that resulted in the death of a 33-year-old Kihei man, according to a press release from the Maui Police Department (MPD).

According to the MPD, preliminary investigation has revealed that a grey/ teal 2022 Yamaha MT-03 motorcycle was traveling northbound on Maui Veterans Highway, driving at a high rate of speed, weaving through traffic to pass vehicles. The Yamaha failed to negotiate an attempt to pass and struck the rear of a silver 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV which was traveling in the left inner lane.

As a result of the collision, the Yamaha and its operator were separated. The Yamaha proceeded to fly through the air and struck the surf rack of a silver 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck which was traveling in the right outer lane. The operator of the Yamaha, a 33-year-old Kihei male, landed in the roadway and died at the scene. (The victim’s identity is being withheld for 24 hours to allow his family an opportunity to notify their extended family and friends).

Neither the operator of the Chevrolet, a 73-year-old Kihei female, nor the operator of the Dodge, a 55-year-old Kihei male were injured as a result of the collision.

According to the MPD, the operator of the Yamaha was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. All parties within the Chevrolet and Dodge were reportedly utilizing their seatbelts at the time of the collision. No airbags were deployed in either vehicle. It is believed that speed is a factor in this collision.

The involvement of alcohol or drugs has yet to be determined as the investigation remains ongoing. This is Maui County’s fourth traffic fatality of 2024, compared to four at the same time last year in 2023.