A 55-year-old Kapa'a man was being held by Kaua'i police today after fleeing the scene in seven consecutive traffic accidents between Lihu'e and Kapa'a yesterday afternoon and resisting a police order to stop.

His bail was set at $21,000, Kaua'i police said in a news release.

Police said Randy Melendez was arrested at his home yesterday at around 12:41 p.m. and charged with multiple offenses including: two counts of first-degree criminal property damage; four counts of reckless driving; four counts of accidents involving damage; three counts of accidents involving injuries; and one count of resisting order to stop motor vehicle.

According to a preliminary report, the first accident occurred near the Rice Street and Kapule Highway junction at about 12:19 p.m.

Melendez was driving a Chevy S10 truck and turning right onto Kapule Highway when he collided with a Toyota pickup that was waiting to make a left turn onto Nawiliwili Road from Kapule Highway. After the collision, Melendez continued driving north and became involved in six other accidents along Kapule and Kuhio Highway between Lihu'e and Kapa'a without stopping for any of the accidents, police said.

Police caught up with Melendez after the seventh accident, which occurred in Kapa'a near the ABC Discount Store, and ordered him to stop. Police said Melendez refused and continued driving, finally stopping in the driveway of his Kapa'a residence where he was arrested.

Three victims in the accidents involving Melendez were taken to Wilcox Hospital and were treated and released, police said.