72
A Hanapepe man died after he was involved in a single-car crash in Kekaha Thursday evening.
Police have identified the man as Joseph Kauahi Jr., 37.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., Kauahi was traveling west on Kaumualii Highway in a white Tacoma near the entrance to the Kekaha Landfill when the truck veered off the roadway and struck a utility pole.
Police said the truck rolled over and landed on its side, trapping Kauahi in the vehicle. Firefighters responded and extricated him. Paramedics transported Kauahi to Wilcox Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Kauahi was the sole occupant in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Police closed the highway in both directions until 10:15 p.m. to conduct an investigation. It is not known at this time whether speed or alcohol was a factor.
Anyone with information on the crash is urged to contact Traffic Safety Officer Shawn Hanna at 241-1618.
This is the third traffic-related fatality on Kauai compared to six at the same time last year.
