Posted at 10:05 a.m., Friday, April 06, 2001

One dead, one critical after car crashes

Advertiser Staff

One motorist died and another was in very critical condition today after two traffic accidents in Wahiawa and Kane'ohe.

Police said the first accident happened at 5:25 a.m. on Wilikina Drive between Kaukonahua Road and Kamananui Road when a car heading toward Waialua crossed the center line and slammed head-on into an on-coming car.

Police said the driver of the Waialua-bound car was pinned in the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second car was airlifted to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition and was later upgraded to serious condition.

Police closed Wilikina Drive for several hours to investigate the collision. Police are still investigating whether speed, alcohol or seatbelts were involved.

Police said the second crash occurred on Kamehameha Highway near Mokulele at 6:58 a.m. when an elderly motorist suffered a heart attack while driving.

His passenger tried to take control of the red El Camino, but he lost control of the car and it struck a guardrail. The driver, in his late 70s, was rushed to the Castle Medical Center in very critical condition. The passenger was in good condition at the scene.