By Crash News Writer 
Kurtistown, HI (November 15, 2026) – A 59-year-old man was critically injured Friday evening, November 13, following a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Kuauli Road and Highway 11 in Kurtistown on Hawaii’s Big Island. According to the Hawaii Police Department, the man was unresponsive at the scene and was later transported to an Oahu hospital for additional medical treatment.
The collision occurred at approximately 5:11 p.m. in the Puna district. Hawaii Island police officers responded to reports of a crash involving three vehicles near the intersection of Kuauli Road and Highway 11.
According to investigators, a 59-year-old man was attempting to make a left turn when another vehicle failed to yield and struck his car. The impact caused the man’s vehicle to slide into a third vehicle that was stopped in another lane.
The force of the collision left the 59-year-old driver unresponsive at the scene. Emergency medical personnel transported him to a local hospital in critical condition.
Due to the severity of his injuries, the man was later flown to a hospital on Oahu for further medical treatment. Authorities have not released additional information about his injuries or provided an update on his condition following the transfer.
The other two drivers were identified by police as a 69-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman. Neither sustained injuries in the collision, according to the initial report.
Police have not released the names of the individuals involved or identified which of the two uninjured drivers was operating the vehicle that reportedly failed to yield.
The available report also does not identify the makes and models of the vehicles involved or describe their directions of travel before the collision.
Investigators stated that they do not believe speed, alcohol, or drugs contributed to the accident. However, authorities have not released additional findings explaining the circumstances surrounding the reported failure to yield.
The initial report did not indicate whether any traffic citations were issued or whether criminal charges are being considered.
Information about possible lane closures or traffic delays near Kuauli Road and Highway 11 was also unavailable.
The Hawaii Police Department continues to investigate the collision and is requesting assistance from anyone who witnessed the accident or has information about the events leading up to it.
Witnesses are encouraged to contact Officer Melani Cline at (808) 935-3311 or by email at Melani.Cline@hawaiipolice.gov. Anonymous information may also be provided to CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Additional details about the collision and the injured driver’s condition may become available as the investigation continues.
Protect Your Rights After a Three-Vehicle Accident Today
Multi-vehicle accidents can cause serious injuries because an initial collision may push one vehicle into another, creating additional impacts. These accidents can be particularly dangerous at intersections where drivers are turning, crossing traffic, or waiting for a signal to change.
Under Hawaii car accident laws, motorists must exercise reasonable care and follow applicable right-of-way requirements. Drivers making turns or traveling through intersections must obey traffic controls and yield when required by law.
When a collision involves a reported failure to yield, investigators may examine traffic signals, vehicle movements, witness statements, roadway evidence, and available surveillance footage to determine what happened.
However, a preliminary police account does not automatically establish civil liability. Determining responsibility may require additional evidence concerning each driver’s actions before the collision.
In accidents involving three or more vehicles, more than one person may share responsibility if their negligent actions contributed to the injuries.
Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence system. Generally, an injured person may recover damages when their share of fault is not greater than the combined negligence of the defendants, although compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility.
Hawaii also operates under a no-fault automobile insurance system. Personal injury protection coverage generally provides benefits for qualifying medical expenses arising from motor vehicle accidents, subject to applicable policy limits and legal requirements.
When injuries meet the applicable legal threshold, an injured person may have grounds to pursue additional compensation from an at-fault driver.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include qualifying medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other legally recognized losses.
Hawaii generally provides two years to file personal injury lawsuits arising from motor vehicle accidents, although exceptions and special rules may affect the applicable deadline.
Readers can find additional information about insurance coverage, right-of-way violations, and accident-related legal questions through our frequently asked questions in Hawaii.
After receiving medical treatment, injured motorists may benefit from preserving hospital records, discharge instructions, photographs of vehicle damage, and insurance correspondence. These materials may help document the extent of their injuries and support an available claim.
When an injured person requires emergency transportation or treatment at multiple medical facilities, maintaining complete records of the care received may be particularly important.
Witness statements and available video footage may also help investigators determine how an initial impact led to a secondary collision involving another vehicle.
People recovering from serious accidents may need assistance obtaining official reports, understanding insurance benefits, and locating rehabilitation or support services. Our guide to resources for accident victims and families in Hawaii provides additional information about these matters.
In the November 13 Kurtistown collision, police reported that a vehicle failed to yield and struck a car making a left turn, causing that vehicle to slide into a third vehicle. One driver suffered critical injuries, while the other two drivers were uninjured. The investigation remains ongoing.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects preliminary information concerning the November 13 three-vehicle collision at Kuauli Road and Highway 11 in Kurtistown, Hawaii.
- The collision occurred Friday evening, November 13, at approximately 5:11 p.m. near the intersection of Kuauli Road and Highway 11 in Kurtistown.
- According to the Hawaii Police Department, a 59-year-old man was making a left turn when another vehicle reportedly failed to yield and struck his car.
- The initial impact caused the man’s vehicle to slide into a third vehicle that was stopped in another lane.
- The 59-year-old driver was unresponsive at the scene and transported to a hospital in critical condition. He was later flown to an Oahu hospital for additional treatment.
- The other two drivers, a 69-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, were not injured. Police stated that speed, alcohol, and drugs were not believed to be contributing factors.
- The investigation remains ongoing. Witnesses may contact Officer Melani Cline at (808) 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports at the time of publication and may change as investigators release additional findings. Readers should consult a qualified attorney regarding their individual circumstances. The publisher assumes no responsibility for decisions made based on this information. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Kurtistown or elsewhere on Hawaii’s Big Island, consider speaking with a Hawaii personal injury lawyer to discuss your insurance coverage, legal rights, and whether compensation may be available.