Honolulu, HI : Three killed and two injured after head-on collision on Queen Ka?ahumanu Highway on Saturday morning, February 14, 2015

Three people died in a traffic crash Saturday morning in Kailua-Kona a third of a mile north of the Hina Lani/Queen Ka?ahumanu Highway intersection.

Their names are being withheld pending positive identification.

In response to a 5:17 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a Nissan pickup truck driven by a 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man was traveling north on Queen Ka?ahumanu Highway when a Kia multi-purpose vehicle traveling south collided with the truck, causing the Kia to catch fire.

The driver of the truck, who was extricated from his vehicle with the jaws of life, was taken to Kona Community hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The male driver of the Kia and two of his passengers died at the scene. Another passenger, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona girl, was able to exit the Kia. She was taken to Kona Community hospital for treatment of her injuries.

It was not immediately know if speed or alcohol were factors. Police have initiated negligent homicide investigations in connection with this crash.

Autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact cause of death and to identify the bodies.

These are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th traffic fatalities on the island this year, compared with three at this time last year.

Source :
Head-on collision on Hawaii Island leaves three dead