LIHU'E, Hawaii (Island News) – A three-vehicle collision on Kapule Hwy on Sunday afternoon resulted in several injuries and lane closures.
Kauai Police Department (KPD) officers responded at approximately 1 p.m. to reports of a collision just south of the Kuhio Hwy junction involving a Ford F-250 truck, a Toyota Yaris, and a Nissan Frontier.
According to authorities, the 72-year-old driver of the Ford F-250 was traveling southbound when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with the northbound Toyota Yaris. The impact forced the Yaris off the road and into the shoulder, while the Ford struck the Nissan Frontier, causing both vehicles to move onto the northbound shoulder.
The driver and a 71-year-old passenger of the Ford sustained serious injuries and were taken to Wilcox Medical Center, from where they were later released. The Toyota Yaris was occupied by three individuals: a 49-year-old woman from Kapa'a, a 50-year-old Lihu'e woman, and a 54-year-old woman from Koloa, all of whom suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized but later released. The 47-year-old driver of the Nissan Frontier also sustained serious injuries and was treated at a hospital before being released.
KPD closed the northbound lane of Kapule Hwy for approximately two and a half hours for an on-scene investigation, diverting northbound traffic onto the southbound lane.
Police reported that speed and impairment did not appear to be factors in the incident, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Tyler Henshaw at 808-241-1616 or Crime Stoppers Kauai at 808-246-8300.
Check back with Island News for future updates.