UPDATE: Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway between Hulikoa and Hinalani Streets has re-opened in both directions, police report. It was previously closed due to a traffic accident involving fatalities. Motorist are requested to proceed with caution and avoid this location if possible as many of the surrounding areas have backed up traffic due to the previous road closure. “We request everyone’s patience and understanding in this matter,” police say.Hawaii County Police

NEWS BRIEFS

• Three people are reported dead in a 2 vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. The incident occurred just before 5:16 a.m.
• UPDATE: A Kia multi-purpose vehicle traveling south collided with a north-bound Nissan pickup truck, causing the Kia to catch fire. Police say the male driver of the Kia and two of his passengers died at the scene. Another passenger, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona girl, was able to exit the Kia. She was taken to Kona Community hospital for treatment of her injuries. The 39-year-old driver of the pickup truck was also taken to Kona Community hospital.
• UPDATE: Queen Kaahumanu Highway was closed between Hinalani St and Hulikoa St. in the area of the Matsuyama Shopping Center and Kohanaiki Business Park. Traffic was detoured through Kaiminani Drive and Hinalani.

UPDATE: (Police Media Release) Three people died in a traffic crash Saturday morning in Kailua-Kona .3 of a miles north of the Hina Lani/Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway intersection.

Their names are being withheld pending positive identification.

In response to a 5:17 a.m. call, Kona Patrol officers determined that a Nissan pickup truck driven by a 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man was traveling north on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway when a Kia multi-purpose vehicle traveling south collided with the truck, causing the Kia to catch fire.

The driver of the truck was taken to Kona Community hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The male driver of the Kia and two of his passengers died at the scene. Another passenger, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona girl, was able to exit the Kia. She was taken to Kona Community hospital for treatment of her injuries.

It was not immediately know if speed or alcohol were factors. Police have initiated negligent homicide investigations in connection with this crash.

Autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact cause of death and to identify the bodies.

These are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fatalities this year, compared with three at this time last year.Hawaii County Police media release

INSIGHTS

From the Hawaii County Fire Department dispatch:

2 CAR MVA. Head on pickup vs. sedan. Sedan engulfed in flames. Upon extinguishment found three (3) fatalities within sedan. One (1) occupant self-extricated from sedan. The jaws were utilized to extricate trapped driver in pickup. M12 transported female occupant. M07 transported male occupant from pickup.Hawaii County Fire Department on Feb. 14, 2015