Three Pedestrians Injured After Truck Strikes Them in Poʻipu

On December 22, 2025, at approximately 8 p.m., a 2016 Ram truck traveling southbound on Hoʻowili Road veered into the northbound shoulder and struck three pedestrians, according to Kauaʻi Police Department accounts. The victims, a 43 year old man, a 43 year old woman and an unidentified child, were transported to Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe. The two adults were hospitalized with serious injuries, while the child was treated and later released.

The driver, 52 year old Nita Fostanes of Hanapēpē, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, reckless driving, inattention to driving, and three counts of first degree negligent injury. Police said Fostanes was not injured during the crash. Investigators reported that speed does not appear to have been a factor, and toxicology results are pending as the criminal investigation continues.

Hoʻowili Road was closed for about an hour while the department’s Traffic Safety Section conducted an on scene investigation. The brief closure disrupted evening traffic in the Poʻipu area and reminded residents and visitors of the risks pedestrians face along coastal roadways, particularly during darker hours and the busy holiday travel period.

For the families involved, the immediate priorities are medical care and the legal process. For the wider community, the collision has renewed conversations about road safety, pedestrian infrastructure and enforcement in areas that serve both local residents and visitors. Local emergency responders and medical staff at Wilcox Medical Center managed the incident and its aftermath, highlighting the role of coordinated response in serious traffic collisions.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Officer Henshaw at 808 241 1616. Those wishing to remain anonymous may provide information to CrimeStoppers Kauaʻi at 808 246 8300.