Update: Daniel K. Inouye Highway reopens after 3-car crash
6:44 p.m. March 16 update: The Hawaii Police Department reports that Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, is now open to all traffic.
Original post: The Hawai‘i Police Department reports that Daniel K. Inouye Highway is closed in North Hilo between mile markers 25 and 26 due to a three-car crash involving an SUV, sedan and pickup truck.
At least one person was taken to Hilo Medical Center in serious condition. According to Hawai‘i Fire Department, the helicopter couldn’t respond to the scene because of the heavy fog.
The road will be closed until later this evening as there is a lot of debris in the roadway. Police officers are currently rerouting traffic at the 9-mile maker on the Hilo side and at the Highway 190 junction on the Kona side.
Motorists are being asked to use Highway 11 or Highway 19 for cross-island travel for the rest of the day. More information regarding the crash will be provided as it becomes available.