A devastating head-on collision in Punaluu has now claimed the lives of three women and left another seriously injured. The crash occurred around 8:55 pm on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, on Kamehameha Highway near Puhuli Street.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, a southbound vehicle driven by 28-year-old Katrell Plunkett crossed the center line and collided head-on with a northbound vehicle operated by a 17-year-old girl. The force of the crash caused the southbound car, carrying three passengers, to overturn. Emergency responders from the Honolulu Fire Department had to use hydraulic tools to extricate the victims.
When first responders arrived, 28-year-old Katrell Plunkett and 18-year-old Miyanna Haiola were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two passengers in the car, a 28-year-old and a 19-year-old, were taken to the hospital in critical condition. On Wednesday, June 25, the 28-year-old passenger succumbed to her injuries, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office. The 19-year-old passenger remains in critical condition.
The 17-year-old driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.
Officials say none of the occupants of the southbound vehicle were wearing seatbelts. Speed is believed to be a contributing factor. Authorities have not yet determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a serious collision in Hawaii, contact Singleton Schreiber today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.
Understanding the Risks of High-Speed Collisions on Hawaii’s Roads
High-speed driving on narrow, two-lane roads like Kamehameha Highway can quickly turn deadly. Unlike highways with center dividers or wider shoulders, these roads offer little room for error, and even less room to recover if a vehicle crosses the centerline. When combined with excessive speed, the margin for safety disappears entirely.
In this crash, police believe speed was a major factor. Vehicles traveling too fast for the conditions are more likely to drift into opposing lanes, lose control, and cause collisions that are often head-on, the most dangerous type of crash due to the combined impact forces. Failure to wear seatbelts likely added to the severity of the injuries in this accident, as seatbelts often significantly reduce the risk of fatal injury by keeping occupants secured in the vehicle.
“Driving too fast on roads like Kamehameha Highway leaves no room for error,” says Brett Schreiber, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber, a personal injury law firm. “The consequences can be immediate and irreversible. We extend our deepest condolences to the families involved and encourage every driver to slow down, for their safety and that of everyone else on the road.”
Legal Options Available to the Victims and Their Families
Victims of crashes like this one, and their families, may be entitled to pursue legal action to seek accountability and compensation.
Multiple parties may have legal recourse following this tragic crash, including:
- The 17-year-old driver who was struck while traveling in her lane may be entitled to a personal injury claim to recover damages for her injuries and emotional trauma.
- The families of the deceased passengers may be able to pursue wrongful death claims if the crash was caused by the driver’s negligence
- The injured passenger and their family may be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation for medical expenses, physical injuries, and emotional trauma, especially if the crash was caused by the driver’s negligence
- The driver’s family may have limited legal options if a vehicle defect or mechanical failure is found to have contributed to the crash
Possible compensation may include:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Loss of income or earning potential
- Loss of companionship or support
To better understand your rights after a serious or fatal car crash, contact Singleton Schreiber to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we may be able to help you.
