Fatal Crash Closes Highway in Glenwood Thursday Night

A 57-year-old man was killed in a two-car crash in Glenwood late Thursday afternoon that forced the closure of both lanes of Highway 11 for several hours.

Police said the man from Glenwood was driving a 2001 Ford station wagon north on the highway when he made a left turn into Hirano Store.

A 33-year-old woman following behind in a 2005 Dodge van crossed the centerline to try to avoid a collision but struck the station wagon in its side.

Police are investigating whether the driver of the station wagon may have made an abrupt turn into the store.

The driver of the station wagon was thrown from his vehicle. He was found in a drainage ditch with no signs of life, a fire department spokesman said.

The van was flipped onto its roof by the collision. Its driver, also a resident of Glenwood, was helped from the vehicle by bystanders. She was taken to Hilo Medical Center with chest, abdomen and neck pain, the spokesman said.

Neither driver was immediately identified.

Police said the woman driving the van was wearing her seat belt; the driver of the station wagon was not.

The accident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Traffic on Highway 11 was halted for several hours while police carried out their investigation.