Hawaii, worldwide love pouring in for Dakota Briley's recovery
20-year-old Dakota Briley was unloading surfboards on the North Shore of Oahu near Chun's Beach on Saturday when the unthinkable happened. Police said an 18-year-old man was driving westbound on Kamehameha Highway when he crossed into the eastbound lane and hit Briley, pinning him between two vehicles on the shoulder of the road.
Briley is currently hospitalized at Queen's Medical Center, but his loved ones are clinging to hope — even in the darkest moments.
'I didn't want to believe it. I was in denial. And then I found out details. My friend was first there on the scene, and he was like, 'it's really bad,'' said Jason Magallanes, a longtime Briley family friend. 'But the good news is, I overheard the doctor saying yesterday that the bleeding and swelling stopped in his head, and there's some excessive bleeding in his hips, or pelvis, as well and they put that together, and they stop the bleeding with that.'
Dakota also suffered fractures to his legs, skull, ribs and spine. His road to recovery is far from clear, but those that know him best said he has always been a warrior.
Honolulu police investigate fatal crash in Haleiwa
'Working out, surfing, eating right. He's huge on diet, you know, 'Do the right thing and put the right stuff in your body and take care of your body.' And that's why I know he's strong. He's in a good position. And he's going to pull through but we do need prayers,' said longtime Briley Family Friend Tanoai Reed.
'If anybody is going to make it out of this, it's going to be the Dakota,' Magallanes said. 'He's stubborn. He has a fire and, he's a warrior.'
Friends and family said the support has poured in from across Hawaii and the globe — over $130,000 have been raised on the GoFundMe for Dakota's medical expenses.
Loved ones told KHON2 that Dakota will undergo a major surgery at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17 where doctors will operate on his severely-damaged spine — they are still confident that continued prayers from the public and help from the doctors inside Queen's will see him through.
'Dakota, uncle loves you,' Reed said. 'You're going to make it through this. And, you know, no matter what happens afterwards, we're going to be there together and you got a huge, long life ahead of you.'
'Dakota, I love you. Just keep fighting and I know, I know God's going to heal you,' Magallanes said. 'The love is real overwhelming and, and we're all here for you.'
Check out more news from around Hawaii
Police said speed, drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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