One dead after Leeward crash
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer
A fatal three-vehicle accident on a dangerous stretch of Farrington Highway yesterday morning closed all four lanes in both directions west of Hakimo Road and backed up traffic for more than four hours.
Police said that at about 9:25 a.m. a 1989 Buick driven by a 26-year-old man heading west near Hakimo Road crossed the median and collided with a 2003 Ford pickup driven by a 66-year-old man heading east.
The impact caused the pickup to veer into the westbound lane of Farrington, where an oncoming 1991 Chevrolet pickup driven by a 52-year-old man slammed into it.
Meanwhile, the Buick continued briefly westward along the eastbound lane of the highway before coming to a stop, police said.
The driver of the Chevrolet pickup and two passengers, a 46-year-old woman and a 9-year-old boy were hurt. The Honolulu Fire Department pried the truck to free all three.
The 52-year-old man was taken by ambulance to the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center where he died before he could be rushed to The Queen's Medical Center.
The woman and the boy were taken by ambulance to Queen's where they were treated for injuries.
The driver of the Ford pickup was not injured, police said.
Police said the driver of the Buick left the scene momentarily, but returned and was arrested "for multiple offenses."
Officers said alcohol was a factor in the collision.
Investigators were able to eventually open two lanes along Farrington, but all four lanes were not open until 2:10 p.m.
The accident occurred along a stretch of highway that has been the scene of other fatal and serious accidents caused by vehicles crossing the center line.
Earlier this month the administration of Gov. Linda Lingle released the state's $1 million portion of an $8 million federally financed construction project scheduled to begin in October that would, among other improvements, install median barriers along a mile stretch of Farrington between Hakimo Road and Kaukama Road.
