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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 20, 2009

Two killed, three injured in three-vehicle accident on Kauaçi


Advertiser Staff

If you have photos or video of the accident or resulting traffic backup, please e-mail them to hawaii@honoluluadvertiser.com or call us at 808-525-8090.

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Two people were killed and three others injured this morning following a traffic accident involving a "big-rig" truck, a rental car and a motorcycle on Kühiö Highway near Wailua Golf Course on Kauaçi.

Police closed both directions of the highway, and it remained closed for most of the day, finally reopening just before 6:30 p.m.
During the closure, southbound traffic was being re-routed along the Wailua emergency bypass road mauka of the freeway. Northbound traffic was being routed along the should of the highway adjacent to the golf course. Motorists were advised to expect long delays if traveling between Kapaça and Lïhuçe.
According to county spokesperson Beth Tokioka, the accident apparently occurred when the southbound motorcyclist lost control of her bike and was struck by the truck, which was traveling north. The truck then lost control and struck the southbound car on the driver's side. Both the truck and car landed in a ditch mauka of the freeway.
The driver of the truck and the driver of the car were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorcyclist and two passengers in the car — a woman and an infant — sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The State Department of Transportation was called to inspect damage to the roadway and the guardrail, and to approve the highway for public use. Also, the Department of Health is on scene to ensure that oil and fuel spilled onto the road and the ditch is properly cleaned before the highway is reopened.