Deadly head-on crash at 3 a.m. on Maui Highway kills 3 people

A head-on crash early Wednesday morning on a Maui highway claimed the life of three people — a 22-year-old from Kīhei, an 81-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman from Lahaina. The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of family.

Maui police say speed is believed to be a factor in the fiery crash that was reported at 3:08 a.m. on Aug. 2, on the Honoapiʻilani Highway, about 341 feet south of Kikowaena Way in West Maui.

A preliminary police investigation reveals a gold 2007 Ford Escape multi-purpose vehicle, operated by the Kīhei man, was traveling north on Honoapiʻilani Highway “at a high rate of speed” when he crossed left of center and collided head-on into a grey 2016 Kia Soul multi-purpose vehicle, which was traveling south on the highway.

As a result of this collision, the Escape caught on fire.  Upon arrival on scene, Maui Fire Department personnel found the vehicle engulfed in flames and put it out.

The operator of the Escape was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say it is unknown if he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The operator of the Soul, an 81-year-old man, and his 75-year-old female passenger, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Police say the operator was wearing his seatbelt, but his passenger was not.

The airbags in both vehicles deployed, according to police.

The involvement of alcohol and drugs is pending toxicology results.