Hundreds of Kaua’i motorists were stranded in both lanes of Kuhio Highway for over an hour Friday night as the Kauai Police Department worked on clearing wrecked vehicles and debris following two related automobile accidents.
The accidents took place between the Wailua Golf Course and the Radisson resort hotel.
A total of seven vehicles were involved.
Officials said they had no reports of serious injuries in the first accident, reported at 8:52 p.m. by the entry of the golf course, or in the second accident, reported after 9 p.m. by the entry to the hotel.
The accidents prevented motorists from moving on the road as Kaua’i police officers removed the wrecks and began a preliminary investigation.
Motorists would have had to stay in traffic longer if it had not been for the quick work of the officers, said Kaua’i Fire Department battalion chief Ernest Moniz Jr.
“My guys who were there told me that the police did a fine job once the victims were secured,” Moniz said. “They got traffic flowing.”
In the first accident, two vehicles were headed south towards Lihu’e by the golf course entrance when one of the vehicles struck a vehicle heading north to Kapa’a, according to a report from Kaua’i County spokeswoman Beth Tokioka.
The second southbound vehicle “became involved” after the collision, Tokioka said.
Moniz said three people from the first accident were sent to Wilcox Hospital for treatment.
The second accident, involving four vehicles, apparently occurred because of the first accident, Tokioka said.
“Because of the backup and slowdown, there was a second accident closer to the Radisson,” Tokioka said. It is not known if anyone involved in the second accident required medical attention.
