Maui police say they are investigating alcohol as a possible factor in an early morning moped crash Saturday that nearly killed a 34-year-old Kihei man in Kihei.

Police said the driver hit a curb while riding his black Sym moped heading north on the southbound shoulder of South Kihei Road.

He was thrown from the moped and was taken in critical condition to the Maui memorial Medical Center, police said.

The preliminary investigation shows the man was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Speed, drugs and alcohol are being investigated as possible factors in the crash.