Laupāhoehoe Information Update for September 14th, 2020

One person hospitalized following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 19 in Laupāhoehoe early Monday morning (September 14th).

Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Holualoa) Team

info@hiradioscannercommunity.com

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 19 in Laupāhoehoe early Monday morning (September 14th).

The initial call came in at 1:43 am Monday morning and HFD crews from the Laupāhoehoe and Honoka'a Fire Stations along with HPD Officers from the North Hilo Patrol responded to the scene fronting a business at the 36-2200 block of Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19) in Laupāhoehoe.

Upon the arrival of the emergency crews, reports came in that vehicle (described as Honda Midsize SUV) rear-ended a fuel tanker (described as Peterbilt Semi Truck with Fuel Tank and Trailer) fronting a business off of Highway 19 in Laupāhoehoe. The operator of the Honda SUV (described as a male in his 60's) was able to self-extricate from the vehicle and suffered injuries as a result of the collision. The operator of the fuel tanker was reported to be uninjured and awaiting the arrival of emergency crews. Also, no fuel was reported to be leaking from the fuel tanks and not presenting any additional hazards.

Once emergency crews arrived at the scene, HFD Medics immediately began a medical assessment of the male operator of the Honda SUV and later transported the male to the Hilo Medical Center in serious condition.

It was noted the driver of the Honda SUV may have been under the influence at the time of the collision, however, HPD was not immediately available to confirm details.

HPD officers temporarily closed Highway 19 between the 25 and 26-mile marker in Laupāhoehoe and rerouted traffic onto Old Mamalahoa Highway while tow trucks worked to clear the scene of the fuel tanker and Honda SUV.