Five people were injured — one critically — Friday morning in a three-car crash on Highway 19 near Maulua Gulch in Hamakua.
Five people were injured — one critically — Friday morning in a three-car crash on Highway 19 near Maulua Gulch in Hamakua.
Responding to the 9:14 a.m. report, Hawaii County police learned that a 2003 Toyota pickup truck traveling south near the 23-mile marker crossed the centerline and sideswiped a 2008 Peterbuilt semitrailer traveling north. The semitrailer lost control and crossed the centerline, colliding with a 2003 Chevrolet four-door sedan traveling south.
All occupants of the vehicles were taken to Hilo Medical Center.
The driver of the pickup truck, a 40-year-old Hilo woman, was treated and released for minor injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 49-year-old Hilo man, and his passenger, an 11-year-old Hilo boy, were treated for their injuries and released.
The passenger in the sedan, a 24-year-old Laupahoehoe woman, was treated for her injuries and released. The sedan’s driver, a 23-year-old Laupahoehoe man, was transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu in critical condition.
Traffic Enforcement Unit investigators have initiated a negligent injury case and are continuing the investigation. It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.
Highway 19 was closed near the gulch for several hours before reopening to one lane of travel Friday afternoon. Both lanes reopened shortly before 4 p.m. Friday.