By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Three police motorcycle patrol officers were hurt today when they hit a light pole that had fallen across the Pali Highway. The accident closed the Pali in both directions for about two hours, snarling the morning commute for Windward residents.

Honolulu Police Department solo bike officers and their commander gather at The Queen's Medical Center after three of their own were injured when they struck a fallen pole on the Pali Highway this morning. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

The accident happened just before 4:15 a.m. Police said a vehicle travelling toward Kailua had earlier hit the 30-foot light pole, causing it to fall on the Honolulu-bound side of the Pali. The vehicle didn’t stop.

Four officers on motorcycles were heading toward Honolulu to report to work when three of them hit the pole in the predawn darkness, while the fourth avoided it, Police Chief Lee Donohue said.

The three officers were taken to the Queen’s Medical Center.

One of the officers, Jesus Rosalez, was treated and released. Officers Valentine Huihui Jr. and Will Cluney were being treated. Huihui was scheduled to undergo surgery on his right foot and Cluney was recovering, police said.

Donohue said the officers were riding four abreast and travelling an estimated 40 to 45 mph when the collision occurred about a mile before the tunnels on the Honolulu side.

“Two of the officers felt that their bulletproof vests saved them because it helped absorb the impact,” Donohue said.

Lanes of the Pali were closed for nearly two hours.