Ka'ūpūlehu Information Update for May 11th, 2021
One person fatally injured in a three-vehicle collision on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway (Highway 19) in Ka'ūpūlehu, North Kona late Tuesday morning (May 11th).
Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Holualoa) and Maui (Makawao) Team
info@hiradioscannercoommunity.com
The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD), and the Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT) responded to a report of a three-vehicle collision on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway (Highway 19) in Ka'ūpūlehu, North Kona late Tuesday morning (May 11th).
The initial call came in at 11:06 am Tuesday morning and HFD Crews from the South Kohala, Waikoloa, Kailua, and Makalei (Haz-Mat Company 21) Fire Stations along with HPD Officers from the Kona Patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), and HDOT Crews responded to the scene located just south of the 86-mile marker in Ka'ūpūlehu, North Kona.
Upon the arrival of emergency crews, numerous reports came in from bystanders reporting a Small SUV (described as a White Subaru 4-Door SUV) traveling north on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway had crossed the centerline and collided with a Semi-Tractor Trailer (described as a White Peterbilt Semi Truck), heading south on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, head-on at an unknown rate of speed. The force of the collision caused debris to be scattered for a long distance from the point of impact and struck a third vehicle, causing only minor damage to that vehicle.
Following the collision, the operator (described as a female in her 50s) of the SUV was unresponsive and also entrapped within the vehicle, while the operator (described as a male in his 30s) of the semi was able to safely self-extricate. The operator and occupant of the third vehicle were able to safely self-extricate from the vehicle. Bystanders work to provide basic medical care to all parties until emergency crews arrived at the scene.
Once at the scene, HFD Crews immediately work to extricate the female operator from the SUV and HFD Medic personnel began a medical assessment on the other three patients at the scene. Once the operator was extricated, HFD Medic began life-saving measures on the patient, however, later declared the patient DOA at the scene. The driver of the semi and driver refused further medical treatment and the operator and passenger of the third vehicle were not injured at the scene.
Immediately following the DOA declaration by HFD Medic, HPD Officers closed Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway between Waikoloa Beach Drive in Waikoloa and Ka'iminani Drive/Keahole Airport Road in Kailua-Kona while TEU Officers arrived at the scene and immediately began their investigation into the collision.
HFD and HDOT Crews also remained at the scene to assist with cleaning up a large oil spill from both the semi-truck and also SUV involved and also the debris field on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, which according to reports was scattered for approximately 100 yards.
According to HPD Officials, due to the size of the scene caused by this collision and also the hazards, the roadway will remain closed for an undetermined to allow HPD TEU Officers to map and document the scene and also allow HDOT crews to safely clear the scene of the oil spill, debris, and the vehicles.
We will provide an update on our Facebook Page on the road closure status.