KAILUA-KONA — A 25-year-old Ninole man died following a three-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 190 in North Kona.
He has been identified as John Krasovskiy, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Responding to a 3:40 p.m. call, police determined that a gray 2008 Nissan sedan had been traveling south on Highway 190 near mile marker 17 when the vehicle hydroplaned into the oncoming lane where it sideswiped a white 2016 Toyota pickup truck and then struck a white 2011 Peterbilt tanker-truck head-on.
The Peterbilt was Hawaii Gas tanker truck containing 2,400 gallons of propane, according to the Hawaii Fire Department.
According to fire officials, the driver of the passenger vehicle was pinned inside and had to be extricated by firefighters with rescue tools. He was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m., according to police.
Two other occupants within the Nissan sedan were also transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital for minor injuries.
Three occupants within the Tacoma pickup and the operator and sole occupant of the Peterbilt tanker-truck were all treated on scene for minor injuries.
Propane from the damaged tanker was safely transferred to a second truck, fire officials said. The crash prompted the closure of the highway in both directions into early Sunday.
Police believe weather conditions and speed to be a factor in this crash. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646 ext. 229.
This is the 25th traffic fatality on Hawaii Island public roads this year compared with 26 at this time last year.