Ōma‘o man dies following traffic crash on Kaumuali‘i Highway

An Ōma‘o man died following a traffic crash Thursday morning near the 5.5-mile marker on Kaumuali‘i Highway on Kaua‘i.

Police identified the man as 66-year-old Nathan Louis.

Shortly after 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Kaua‘i police and Kaua‘i Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a report of a traffic crash in an area also known as Knudsen Gap.

According to a preliminary report, Louis was driving west in a Toyota Matrix when his vehicle hit a guardrail, crossed the eastbound lane and struck guardrails on both sides of the highway before crashing into an embankment on the westbound shoulder.

Upon their arrival, first responders found Louis having what appeared to be a health episode. They treated the Ōma‘o man before transporting him to Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe, where he was pronounced dead.

Kaumuali‘i Highway was closed in both directions around the crash scene for approximately 2 hours while the Kaua‘i Police Department Traffic Safety Section investigated.

Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing. Toxicology reports and an autopsy are pending.