One woman is dead and three others critically injured following two separate car crashes Tuesday afternoon in West Hawaii.
The woman died after being ejected from a compact sedan in the first crash reported at 2:49 p.m. near Kiholo Bay in North Kona, said West Hawaii Battalion Chief Reuben Chun. A man, who was also ejected from the vehicle, was taken in very critical condition to an area hospital.
Chun said it was unknown whether the man or woman was driving the southbound vehicle on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when it crossed the centerline and launched off the roadway, traveling some 200 feet before coming to a stop in a lava field. The victims appeared to be residents.
Chun said high speed likely played in a role in the crash given the distance the car traveled off the roadway. The posted speed limit in the area is 55 mph.
It is unknown if the woman or man were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Queen Kaahumanu Highway remained open while rescue crews were on scene, but closed for a short period around 7 p.m. while police investigated the crash.
The second crash, reported about 6:25 p.m. in the area of Kawaihae Road’s intersection with Anekona Road in South Kohala, sent two men in critical condition to North Hawaii Community Hospital, said Chun. One of the men was his in 20s and the other in his 70s.
Chun said the crash appeared to be a head-on collision that caused extensive front-end damage to both vehicles involved. The posted speed limit is 45 mph in the area.
Kawaihae Road was closed shortly after the crash while police and emergency rescue personnel were on scene. It reopened by 8:45 p.m.
West Hawaii Today was unable to reach the Hawaii Police Department for an update on the men’s condition Tuesday night.