Woman Injured in Kaneohe Car Accident on Likelike Highway
A 17-year-old driver lost control and struck a guardrail past the Wilson Tunnel
A 20-year-old woman who was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on Likelike Highway near Kaneohe, Hawaii, on April 22, has died, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
The northbound sedan, driven by a 17-year-old, passed the Wilson Tunnel before the driver lost control and struck a right-shoulder guardrail. The impact ejected a backseat passenger onto the road.
Paramedics took the ejected passenger to a hospital in serious condition. On Sunday, April 26, authorities said she succumbed to her injuries. A second 20-year-old woman riding in the front seat was also hospitalized in serious condition.
The teenage driver and a 19-year-old male passenger suffered injuries and remained at the scene. Investigators said speed, drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the wreck.
The crash marks the 14th traffic death on Oahu this year, compared to 25 at the same time in 2025. The crash remains under investigation.
The family of the young woman faces immense challenges and mounting medical questions following the crash. In car accidents such as this, crash reconstruction investigators examine vehicle telemetry, tire marks, and road conditions to understand why a driver lost control.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Driving safely requires complete attention, so it is best to stay focused on the road. Distraction behind the wheel jeopardizes your safety, your passengers’ safety, and the well-being of those around you."
How common are single-vehicle crashes in Hawaii?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hawaii experienced a significant increase in road incidents recently, with 129 traffic deaths recorded in 2025. Single-vehicle crashes account for a disproportionate number of these incidents, representing 71% of the state's severe traffic events compared to the 52% national average.
What are the next steps for the injured passengers?
While police have ruled out impairment and speed, insurance adjusters often begin their own evaluations immediately after a severe collision. Passengers injured in a crash caused by their driver often have clear paths to compensation.
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal"Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, holding negligent parties and their insurance companies accountable for their mistakes."
Hawaii personal injury framework
Hawaii follows a modified comparative fault (51% bar) system. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Damages include economic and non-economic losses.