Fiery crash on Highway 19 leaves 1 dead

Police and fire crews remained at the scene Sunday where a Hawaii Gas propane tanker overturned and caught fire in the aftermath of a fatal collision with a sport-utility vehicle Saturday afternoon on Highway 19 at Honomu.

Police said one individual in the SUV was killed in the collision. A negligent homicide investigation was opened. Police reported the closure of the road at 2:40 p.m. Saturday. Hamakua-bound traffic was being rerouted via Old Mamalahoa Highway in Honomu. Hilo-bound traffic was being re-routed via Old Mamalahoa Highway in Pepeekeo.

Highway 19 has been closed since the collision. On Sunday, police said the road closure would probably last the duration of the day and possibly into today.