Mo-ped rider dies of injuries
A Lahaina man who was critically injured when his mo-ped collided with a pickup truck Sunday has died, Maui County police said.
Kana L. Cox Jr., 53, was pronounced dead at 8:16 p.m. Sunday at Maui Memorial Medical Center, police said Monday.
The accident was reported at 11:34 a.m. Sunday at Honoapiilani Highway and Wahikuli Road in West Maui.
Police said both vehicles were traveling north on Honoapiilani Highway when the driver of the pickup turned right onto Wahikuli Road, failing to yield the right of way to the mo-ped, which was traveling in the bicycle lane. Police said the mo-ped hit the right front fender of the truck. Cox, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered severe head injuries, officials said.
The 66-year-old man driving the 1990 Ford F-150 pickup and his 71-year-old male passenger, both of Lahaina, were wearing seat belts and were not injured, police said.
Police identify teen swimmer
Hawaii County police have identified the 17-year-old victim of a possible drowning as John Joel Nicholas Buentipo of Keaau.
Buentipo was reported swimming with friends Friday near Shipman Beach in Keaau when he experienced difficulties and could not swim back to shore at about 1:30 p.m., police said. His friends lost sight of him, and rescue personnel and a helicopter from the Hawaii Fire Department conducted a search, which was suspended at nightfall.
The search resumed Saturday morning, and Buentipo’s body was found at about 7:25 a.m. near the place where he was last seen. He was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center.
An autopsy was scheduled for today. Police said they do not suspect foul play.
