KEAUHOU — Highway 11 was closed in both directions for several hours Wednesday afternoon following a two-vehicle collision about a mile south of Kamehameha III Road.
Hawaii Island police and fire units responding to the 2:06 p.m. call involving a white southbound SUV that collided with a Saturn traveling northbound.
Seven people in the SUV were transported to Kona Community Hospital, six in stable condition and one in critical condition, according to police.
The driver and sole occupant of the Saturn, who declined to comment, did not sustain injuries.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit was called in to investigate, prompting an extended road closure.
The heavily traveled corridor remained closed through rush hour, creating congestion through the detours on Kamehameha III and Haawina roads. The highway was reopened at 6:43 p.m. Wednesday.