13 injured in eight-car pileup on H-1
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Traffic backed up on the westbound lanes on the 'ewa side of Red Hill yesterday morning as police diverted traffic from H-1 Freeway because of an eight-car accident just past the Waimalu off ramp.
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Thirteen people were injured yesterday, two seriously, in an eight-car crash on H-1 Freeway near Pearl City.
The collision in the westbound lanes, reported at 6:39 a.m., set off a fire in one of the cars, a 1966 Ford Mustang. Firefighters found the car engulfed in flames about 15 feet high, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Police closed all westbound lanes for an hour as they sorted out the mess. Traffic was diverted from the freeway at the Halawa interchange and the Waimalu exit.
The freeway was re-opened at 8:09 a.m.
City ambulances took two victims in serious condition to The Queen's Medical Center, said Donnie Gates, assistant chief for emergency medical services.
Another 10 victims, all in good condition, were taken to St. Francis Medical Center-West, he said.
One victim was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi in good condition, Gates said.
Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.
