comscore Maui Police Department ‘matriarch’ dies in Pukalani crash while chasing purse snatcher | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Every act of aloha counts. Click here to DONATE to the MAUI RELIEF Fund.
Top News

Maui Police Department ‘matriarch’ dies in Pukalani crash while chasing purse snatcher

Honolulu Star-Advertiser logo
Unlimited access to premium stories for as low as $12.95 /mo.
Get It Now
  • COURTESY MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT
                                Terry Jones

    COURTESY MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT

    Terry Jones

A 55-year-old Maui Police Department employee died in a motor vehicle collision on Maui Thursday morning as she was chasing someone who had reportedly stolen her purse.

Terry Jones of Makawao was driving a 2018 Honda Pilot around 4:40 a.m. when she lost control and collided with a tree near the intersection of Kula Highway and Haleakala Highway, MPD said in a release.

She sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said in a news conference that Jones was his secretary and had worked with MPD for 32 years.

“This woman was the matriarch … of this department. Everyone knew Terry. Everyone loved Terry.” Pelletier said. “She would do anything for anyone.”

Jones, who was traveling north on Kula Highway, had her purse stolen and was chasing the suspect, police said. She lost control of her vehicle as she was turning right onto Haleakala Highway.

MPD said Jones was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The fatality is the sixth for Maui County this year. There was one at this point last year, according to Maui police.

Comments (32)

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.

Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.

Click here to view ongoing news coverage of the Maui wildfires. Sign up for our free e-newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox. Download the Honolulu Star-Advertiser mobile app to stay on top of breaking news coverage.

Be the first to know
Get web push notifications from Star-Advertiser when the next breaking story happens — it's FREE! You just need a supported web browser.
Subscribe for this feature

Scroll Up