Saturday, February 14, 2015

3 DEAD, 2 INJURED IN FIERY HEAD-ON KONA TRAFFIC CRASH BETWEEN A KIA AND A PICKUP TRUCK





FEBRUARY 14, 2015

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII

Three people are dead and two injured Saturday following a fiery crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona.

The three deceased were within a southbound Kia multi-purpose vehicle that crashed head-on into a northbound pickup in the vicinity of the Kohanaiki Business Park, near Matsuyama Food Mart around 5:15 a.m. Saturday, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department.

The Kia subsequently burst into flames, and the male driver and two other occupants died at the scene, according to police. However, a fourth occupant, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona girl was able to escape the vehicle. She was transported by medics to Kona Community Hospital. No further information was available on her condition.

The three deceased were found after firefighters managed to quash the flames, according to the department. They have not yet been positively identified.
The Hawaii Police Department is withholding the identities of the deceased pending positive identification.

A 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man driving the Nissan truck had to be extricated from the vehicle using Jaws of Life equipment. He was also transported by medics to Kona Community Hospital. No further information was available on his condition.

Queen Kaahumanu Highway was closed between Hinalani Street and Hulikoa Drive for several hours while police investigated the scene, according to the Hawaii Police Department. It reopened around 10:30 a.m. Traffic was detoured through Kaiminani Drive and Hina Lani Street while police investigated the fatal crash.

Officers have opened negligent homicide investigations into the crash.
Police did not immediately know if speed or alcohol were factors in the accident. Autopsies have been ordered to identify the bodies and determine the exact cause of death.

There have been four fatalities on Big Island roads this year, compared with three during the same period last year.