Updated at 11:18 a.m., Monday, January 21, 2002

Man killed, 2 injured in Ma'ili Point crash

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police inspect two of four cars involved in this morning's fatal car crash at Ma'ili Point. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

One man was killed and two seriously injured today near Ma'ili Point when a car crossed the center line of Farrington Highway, struck another car, went airborne and landed on top of a third.

The accident, which snarled Leeward coast traffic for more than five hours, occurred shortly after 5 a.m.when a late model Ford Contour heading west crossed the center line of the highway between Kaukama and Hakimo roads.

The Ford first struck a subcompact, said Lt. John Pinero of the Wai"anae district patrol division. It then flipped over, causing minor damage to a second car, and finally crashed into a third car, a Mitsubishi Galant, killing its driver.

The 24-year-old driver of the Ford was thrown from the car, Pinero said. He was flown to The Queen's Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

The 27-year-old driver of the subcompact that took the first impact also was taken to Queen's and was listed in guarded condition.

Farrington Highway was closed between Ma'ili'ili and Hakimo roads, and traffic was rerouted onto Pa'akea Road.

Pinero said speed was involved in the accident, but investigators had not determined whether alcohol was a factor. No information on the victim was available.