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KEKAHA, Kauai County, Hawaii, Sept. 23, 2026 — A 91-year-old bicyclist died after a collision with a vehicle Tuesday morning, September 22, at the intersection of Elepaio Road and Alae Road in Kekaha, Kauai police said.
Police said the crash happened around 7 a.m. when a 62-year-old woman turned left onto Alae Road and struck the man, who was riding a bicycle westbound on Elepaio Road. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet, according to police.
He was taken to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, where he later died of his injuries, police said.
Officers closed the intersection for about two hours while they investigated the scene. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, and police said speed and impairment do not appear to be factors at this time.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Kauai Police Department.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When Bicycles and Vehicles Collide
Age plays a large role in how a bicycle crash turns out. Older riders are more likely to suffer serious injury or die from the same impact that a younger rider might walk away from, because bone density and injury tolerance both decline with age. A fall or collision that would leave a younger cyclist bruised can break a hip or cause a fatal head injury in someone in their 80s or 90s.
Left-turn collisions like this one are a common pattern nationally. A driver turning across a lane often misjudges the speed or presence of an oncoming bicyclist, particularly at intersections without dedicated bike signals or turn lanes. Riders going straight through an intersection have the right of way over a turning vehicle, but that legal protection does not prevent the physical harm when a turn is misjudged.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedalcyclist fatalities accounted for 2.9 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023. Helmet use also shapes outcomes: riders without one face a higher risk of fatal head injury in any given collision, regardless of who caused the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a cyclist do after a crash with a car?
Call 911 even if injuries seem minor, stay at the scene, and get checked by a medical provider. Some injuries, especially head and internal injuries, are not obvious right away.
Do cyclists have the same rights on the road as drivers?
In most states, including Hawaii, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, including the right of way when riding straight through an intersection that a vehicle is turning across.
Are bicycle crashes more likely to happen at intersections?
Yes. A large share of car-bicycle collisions occur at intersections, often during turns, because drivers and riders have less time to see and react to each other than on open roadway.
What injuries are most common for cyclists in these crashes?
Head injuries, fractures, and road rash are common. Head injury severity is strongly affected by whether the rider was wearing a helmet.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in Kekaha, HI
If you witness or are involved in a bicycle collision, call 911 right away and wait for police and medical responders. Do not move an injured rider unless there is immediate danger, since spinal or head injuries can worsen with movement.
Get a full medical evaluation as soon as possible, even for a rider who seems only shaken up. Request a copy of the police report once it's available, and take photos of the scene if you're able to safely do so. Kauai's roads carry a mix of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, and a calm, documented response after any crash helps everyone involved get the right care and information.
