Collision on Maui critically injures mo-ped rider

KAHULUI >> A Lahaina man was transported to the hospital in critical condition today after his mop-ed was cut off by a pickup truck on Honoapiilani Highway, police said.

The accident was reported at 11:34 a.m. near the Wahikului Road intersection in West Maui.

Police say both vehicles were traveling north on the highway when the driver of the pickup, making a right turn onto Wahikuli Road, failed to yield the right of way to the mo-ped, which was within the bike lane.  

According to police reports, the 53-year-old Lahaina man operating the mo-ped collided with the right front fender of the pickup truck.  

The 66-year-old man driving the maroon and gray 1990 Ford F-150 pickup and his 71-year-old male passenger, both of Lahaina, were wearing seat belts and were uninjured, according to Maui police.

When Medic 4 arrived on the scene at 11:39 a.m., crews found the patient unresponsive and with traumatic head injuries, according to Maui County Paramedic Association spokesperson Ryan Joslin. 

The mo-ped operator was not wearing a helmet and was transported to the emergency room with critical, life-threatening injuries, according to police.