UPDATE (10 p.m.) – One person died and another was injured in Wednesday’s crash on Highway 19 near Laupahoehoe.
First responders say a Mazda open bed truck was traveling north when it collided head-on with a fuel tractor trailer. The Mazda was on fire with the driver still inside the vehicle when fire crews arrived.
After the fire was extinguished, the driver of the Mazda was declared dead on arrival by medic personnel.
The male driver of the fuel truck was treated and transported to Hilo Medical Center with minor injuries.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Hawaii Police Department.
(BIVN) – Hawaii County Civil Defense issued an alert message on Wednesday afternoon, reporting the closure of Highway 19 near Laupahoehoe.
According to the message:
Hawaii Police Department reports Highway 19 near mile marker 25 in Laupahoehoe is closed in both directions due to a truck fire from an accident. Area motorists are advised to use the alternate route via Old Mamalahoa Highway until further notice.
The highway was reopened later that evening.
