Crash Kills Motorcyclist, Hurts Another on DKI Hwy in South Kohala, HI
September 6, 2026
South Kohala, HI (September 6, 2026) – One motorcyclist died, and another was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle wreck on Daniel K. Inouye Highway in South Kohala on Saturday, September 5. The collision happened around 3:07 p.m. near the 46-mile marker.
Police said a westbound Tesla crossed into the eastbound lane while passing several vehicles. The Tesla collided head-on with an eastbound Harley-Davidson motorcycle, triggering a secondary collision with a second eastbound motorcycle.
The Tesla and both motorcycles went down an embankment after the crash. A Dodge Ram was also damaged by debris, but the people inside were not hurt.
One motorcyclist died at the crash site. Emergency crews took the second rider to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital before he was transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu with significant injuries.
The Tesla driver received treatment for minor injuries before police arrested him. He was charged with manslaughter, second-degree negligent homicide, and first-degree negligent injury.
The Hawai‘i Police Department continues to investigate the crash.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the motorcyclist who lost their life, and we hope the injured rider makes a full recovery.
How Long Do Families Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in South Kohala, HI?
In South Kohala and throughout Hawaii, families generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Certain circumstances may affect that deadline, so families should determine how much time applies to their case as early as possible.
When criminal charges are filed after a fatal crash, the criminal case and wrongful death claim remain separate. A family may pursue a civil claim without waiting for the criminal case to reach a final result.
Because a wrongful death deadline continues to run while other matters are pending, waiting for a police investigation or criminal case to end may create problems. Families should keep track of important dates even while additional information is still being gathered.
When families are unsure how much time remains, a personal injury attorney can review the date of death and determine the deadline that may apply. A lawyer can also identify whether any exception could affect the filing period.
Our team at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner assists families throughout Hawaii with wrongful death claims after fatal crashes. We help families understand important filing deadlines and the legal requirements that may apply to their case.
If you lost a loved one in a crash in South Kohala, contact Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner at (808) 537-2525. A consultation can help you understand how much time you may have to file a wrongful death claim.
Notes: Our team of writers uses secondary sources such as news reports, local and state police incident reports to create these posts. We have not independently verified all of the facts surrounding this particular accident so if there is any information that is incorrect, please contact Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner so that we can update the post to reflect the most accurate information available.
Disclaimer: This post is not a solicitation for business. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. None of the information in this post is intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical assistance immediately.