HILO — A Kamuela man was arrested yesterday on a variety of charges after being involved in a three-car collision in Waikoloa and then getting into a fight with firefighters and police officers, Hawaii County police said today.

Police say 20-year-old Kahiliokeanuinu Puaalani Peleiholani was driving a 1995 Toyota pickup north on Queen Kaahumanu Highway about 3:45 p.m. when he made a left turn onto Mauna Lani Drive and collided with a 2006 Ford van traveling south.

After the initial collision, Peleiholani's truck struck a 2007 Hyundai van that was stopped in the left turn lane on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

Peleiholani had to be extricated from his vehicle by fire department personnel. Police say he then became combative and starting fighting with firefighters and police officers at the scene. During the struggle, one of the officers was assaulted.

Peleiholani was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, two counts of negligent injury, assault on a police officer and promoting detrimental drugs in the third degree.

Peleiholani, who was listed in critical condition, was released pending further investigation and flown to The Queens Medical Center on Oahu.

The driver of the Ford van, a 56-year-old man, and his passenger, a 35-year-old man, both of Kailua, Kona, were confined to North Hawaii Community Hospital in serious condition.

The occupants of the Hyundai van where not injured.

The police officer, an eight-year veteran assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Unit, was treated and released from North Hawaii Community Hospital.