UPDATE: Highway 11 has reopened.
UPDATE: Highway 11 has reopened.
Civil Defense and Hawaii County police are advising motorists of a fatal crash that has closed Highway 11 at the 47 mile marker. An early morning statement from authorities says the road might be closed for several hours and that motorists should avoid the area because there are no detours and no alternative routes.
Authorities say a large delivery truck laying on its side blocked the highway. The driver had “self extricated” but a “small compact vehicle” that was heavily damaged was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived.
After the fire was extinguished, fire department personnel “found a single victim in driver seat burned beyond recognition.” Emergency personnel are now searching roadways for other victims who might have been ejected during the crash.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.