Kauai Sun

Kaua‘i Police Department issued the following announcement on Dec. 28.

Kauaʽipolice have identified Eugenia Villanueva as the 49-year-old woman who died in last week’s crash on Kaumualiʽi Highway.

The crash occurred on December 24 and involved two vehicles between mile markers 5 and 6 in an area known as Knudsen Gap, east of the Maluhia Road junction. 

According to a preliminary report, at approximately 4 p.m., a 2011 Toyota Tacoma, operated by a 31-year-old male from Lāwaʿi was traveling westbound when the vehicle veered onto the westbound shoulder. The truck then crossed back over onto the westbound lane and subsequently onto the eastbound lane of the highway where it struck an oncoming 2018 Nissan sedan operated by a 19-year-old male of Hanamāʿulu with three other occupants.

Police immediately responded to the scene, along with Kauaʽi Fire Department stations 4 and 5, and Rescue 3 Response, as well as four ambulance units, two from Līhuʿe, and one each from Kōloa and Waimea.

Villanueva, who was a rear passenger in the Nissan sedan, suffered fatal injuries.

A 71-year-old male resident, a rear passenger of the Nissan sedan, suffered serious life-threatening injuries and was medevaced to Queen’s Medical Center on Oʽahu where he remains in critical condition. 

The front passenger of the Nissan sedan, a 19-year-old female of Hanamāʿulu, suffered serious injuries and was admitted to Wilcox Memorial Center. She is currently in stable condition. The driver of the Nissan sedan was treated and released at Wilcox Memorial Center.

The driver of the Toyota truck was transported to Wilcox Memorial Center with minor injuries. He was treated and released.

Kaumualiʿi Highway was closed in both directions for approximately four hours while the Kauaʽi Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section conducted a thorough investigation. 

Toxicology results are still pending to determine if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the collision. The Kauaʿi Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section is conducting an extensive investigation into this tragic collision.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to please call Officer Isaiah Sarsona of the Traffic Safety Section at 241-1618.

This was Kauaʿi’s seventh traffic fatality of 2020.

Original source can be found here.