Dakota Briley, 20, is "fighting for his life" at a Honolulu hospital in critical condition, according to a GoFundMe page identifying him as the pedestrian who was critically injured while on the side of Kamehameha Highway in Hale‘iwa on Saturday, June 14.
“Dakota was pinned between two vehicles and has sustained serious and extensive injuries to his body,” said fundraiser organizer Haunani Sullivan. “Dakota is suffering from multiple fractures in his legs, pelvis, ribs and skull. His spine has also endured unthinkable injuries.”
The Honolulu Police Department, which said Saturday the investigation is ongoing, reported that “a vehicle operated by an 18-year-old male was traveling westbound on the highway and crossed into the eastbound lane and onto the eastbound shoulder, where it collided with a traffic sign and the pedestrian, who was standing on the shoulder next to the unoccupied vehicle. … The motorist and his 18-year-old female passenger were not injured.”
In just three days since the incident, more than 1,000 donations amounting to nearly $120,000, out of the $170,000 goal, had come in to help cover his medical expenses.
“For those of you who know the Briley ʻOhana, you know they are the salt of the earth, a family of great faith in God and have hearts of gold,” Sullivan said.
Briley, who lives on Oʻahu’s North Shore and frequents its beaches often to surf, is one of three sons of Pipeline surf icon Shawn Briley.
His brother Ryder added, “At times, he appears as so solid, it's hard to handle, but I know that his stubbornness, strength and the fight he has in him is what is going to get him through this. We believe he will get through this.
“He has a lot more battles to fight through, and if anyone can do it, it's Dakota.”
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
