UPDATE: Head-On Collision Injures Five on Highway 19

***Updated at 8:10 p.m. to include information from the Hawai’i Police Department.**

A 23-year-old man is in critical condition after a head-on collision that involved three vehicles at Maulua Gulch.

According to the Hawai’i Police Department, the Laupahoehoe resident was the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet four-door sedan that was moving south on Highway 19 when it was struck by a 2008 Peterbilt tractor-trailer that crossed the center line.

The Peterbilt, driven by a 49-year-old Hilo man, lost control after being sideswiped by a 2003 Toyota pickup truck traveling in the southbound direction, starting the chain reaction of events.

HPD says that both the driver of the Peterbilt truck and his 11-year-old male passenger were treated for their injuries at Hilo Medical Center and released. Two other individuals, a 40-year-old woman who operated the Toyota pickup and a 24-year-old woman who was a passenger in the sedan, were also treated and released.

Investigators from the Traffic Enforcement Unit have opened up a negligent injury case. It is not known if speed, alcohol, or drugs were factors in the accident.

***Original story posted at 5:50 p.m.***

The Hawai’i County Fire Department responded to a crash on Highway 19, near Maulua Gulch at mile marker 22, Friday morning. Officials say the collision involved a semi-truck, a car and a pick-up truck.

HFD reported to the scene at 9:55 a.m. to find a head-on type collision. Upon arrival, authorities learned that five people were injured in the incident, one of whom was trapped and had to be extricated from one of the three vehicles involved.

A total of 17 HFD firefighters, two engines, three medic units, and two additional units, as well as Chopper 2 tended to the scene.

HPD closed Highway 19 in both directions for several hours. One lane of traffic was opened around 12 p.m., and at 4 p.m., both lanes of traffic were opened.

No information from HPD was available at press time.