Hawaii family killed in New Mexico highway crash

Oct 07, 2026

Three members of a Hawaii family were killed Sunday when a commercial truck crossed the median on Interstate 40 and hit their car, leaving their island community in shock.

  • Wayne and Luana Vero and their daughter Lily died while on a family road trip through New Mexico.
  • Police say the truck crossed the median on I-40 and struck their vehicle; the crash is still under investigation.
  • Luana Vero was the registrar at Wailua High and Intermediate School, where staff and students are described as stunned.
  • The family was known for robotics mentoring, hula, and building sets and backdrops for local performances.
  • Two sons and two granddaughters survive them, and a GoFundMe has been set up to bring the family home.

Outlook: The state education department will offer counseling when students and staff return from fall break next week, while investigators work to determine why the truck left its lane.

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