Hawaii 24/7 Staff
One man was killed and another was injured in a three-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, according to the Fire Department.
Crews were alerted shortly before 4 p.m. that a Ford F-350 pick-up apparently lost control after the front driver’s side tire blew out and lost control near the 82-mile marker on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
The Ford F-350 clipped the back end of a vehicle in the opposite lane and then crashed nearly head-on with a Ford Ranger pickup.
The driver of the F-350 pick-up was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital in serious but stable condition.
The driver of the Ford Ranger had to extricated with the Jaws of Life, but died at the scene.
The occupants of the first vehicle that was hit were shaken, but not injured.
Police closed Queen Kaahumanu Highway between the 82 and 83 mile markers just north of Kiholo Scenic Point for about four hours. Traffic was diverted via Waikoloa Road and Kaiminani Drive.
The highway was reopened about 9 p.m. Thursday.
POLICE MEDIA RELEASE (7/13/12)
A 38-year-old Kamuela man died Thursday (July 12) from injuries he sustained in a three-vehicle crash on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway at the 82-mile marker in North Kona.
The driver who was killed was identified as Christopher M. Landers of a Kamuela address.
Responding to a 3:53 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 49-year-old Kailua-Kona man was operating a 2000 Ford F350 pickup truck and traveling south on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway when his left tire blew out causing him to lose control and sideswipe a 2011 Nissan Altima traveling north.
The Ford truck continued into the northbound lane and collided with a 2002 Ford Ranger pickup truck traveling north and being operated by Landers, who was not wearing a seat belt.
The 67-year old driver of the Nissan and her female passengers, ages 20, 38 and 44, all of Austin, Texas, were not injured.
The driver of the Ford truck was taken to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.
Landers was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:10 p.m.
Police do not suspect alcohol, drugs or speed in connection with this crash.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229.
This is the 16th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 12 at this time last year.
Here’s a case where the driver of the 350 ought to be held fully responsible for vehicular homicide if his front tires were worn and in need of replacement.