A man is in police custody Friday afternoon following two separate crashes on Kuakini Highway that snarled traffic in Kailua-Kona.
The man was driving a black sports utility vehicle and headed northbound on the highway when he apparently crossed the centerline and struck a southbound green Dodge pickup truck just south of Hualalai Road, according to police. The collision, which happened about 4:15 p.m., snapped the SUV’s front axle, sending the front driver’s side tire rolling to the side of the road.
The SUV’s driver then continued northbound on the highway before attempting a right-turn at Kalani Street where he struck a gold-colored Honda SUV that was making a left turn off the side street onto Kuakini Highway, according to police.
Bystanders said the black SUV never attempted to stop after striking the pickup and continued driving down the highway with sparks flying from the broken axle before the second wreck. At least one person was injured.
Police had no further information available as of press time. The red vehicle on the flat bed was not involved in either crash.