HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
NOVEMBER 19, 2005
C05039550

MEDIA RELEASE

Hamakua police closed the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19), .4 miles east of the 50 Mile-Marker due to a 3 vehicle traffic collision.

Responding to a 9:35 a.m. call, police determined that a 1997 Geo Metro 4-door sedan was traveling west when it crossed the centerline and collided with a 2006 Pontiac 4-door sedan traveling east. A 2005 Chevrolet multi-purpose vehicle which was also traveling east rear-ended the Pontiac.

A 19-year-old man from Kamuela, who was a passenger in the Geo Metro, was flown by the Fire Department helicopter to the Hilo Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. He was later flown to the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

The driver of the Geo Metro, a 16-year-old female from Kamuela was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital where she is listed in satisfactory condition.

The occupants of the Pontiac, a 55-year-old man and 48-year-old woman and 2 daughters from Colorado where treated and released with minor injuries.

The occupants of the Chevrolet multi-purpose vehicle, a husband and wife and their 2 sons from California were not injured.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent injury investigation.

It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were involved.

The Hawaii Belt Road was reopened at 2:50 p.m. as crews from the State Highways Division cleaned up an oil spill at the scene.

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