HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A crash involving a box truck carrying propane tanks shut down the H-1 Freeway in Halawa Tuesday, snarling traffic during the afternoon commute.
The crash was reported at 2:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes near the Aiea off-ramp.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, the truck was traveling westbound when its roll-up door became ajar.
The 33-year-old male driver came to a stop to secure the door and was rear-ended by a passenger van driven by a 73-year-old woman, police said.
Police said firefighters had to extricate the woman. Paramedics treated her for multiple traumatic injuries and took her to the hospital in critical condition, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
The 33-year-old driver of the box truck was taken to the hospital in serious condition and later upgraded to good condition, police said.
Police said the truck’s two male passengers, ages 33 and 24, complained of pain but refused treatment at the scene.
At this time neither speed, drugs, nor alcohol appear to be contributing factors of this collision, police said. The investigation is ongoing.
Both directions of the H-1 were initially shut down near the Aiea off-ramp. The eastbound lanes were reopened just before 4 p.m.
Traffic was gridlocked in the westbound direction until lanes reopened at 5:10 p.m.