Crash leaves 2 people
critically injured

Two people were critically injured yesterday morning in a head-on collision on Kamehameha Highway between the Dole Pineapple Pavilion and Nui Avenue.

Police said a 1998 white Dodge Caravan was traveling northbound about 6:04 a.m. on Kamehameha Highway when a 1991 white Ford Escort driving southbound crossed the center line and hit the van head-on.

The van's 49-year-old driver, of Ewa Beach, was taken in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center. The Escort's passenger, a woman whose age was not available, was also taken to Queen's in critical condition.

The 19-year-old driver of the sedan was taken to Queen's in fair condition.

Police said speed and alcohol may have been factors in the crash.

The passenger of the Escort was not wearing a seatbelt, police said. It's unclear whether the drivers of the van and sedan were wearing seatbelts.

The highway was closed in both directions yesterday until a little after 9 a.m. while police investigated the crash.