UPDATE: Jaws Of Life Used in Honoapiilani Head-on Collision

By Wendy Osher

Medics, Fire and Police personnel responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision on the Honoapiilani Highway early Sunday morning. The accident forced the temporary closure of the highway while crews worked to extricate one individual. Both drivers suffered critical injuries. Courtesy photo.

(Update: 3:20 p.m. 2/26/12)

Maui police are investigating the suspected involvement of speed and drugs as contributing factors in an early morning head-on collision on the Honoapiilani Highway, said police.

The accident was reported at 12:46 a.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2012, and forced the closure of the highway for more than eight hours.

According to police reports, a 2004 Chrysler Crossfire two-door sedan, was traveling northbound on the highway when it crossed the center line and collided head-on into a 2004 BMW four-door sedan.

The accident occurred just south of Napilihau Road on a two-lane stretch of highway where a solid yellow line marked a no-passing zone for northbound traffic.

The Crossfire vehicle was operated by a 28-year-old Lahaina woman. First Responders say the woman was pinned within her vehicle, which required extrication using the jaws of life.

She suffered left arm and leg injuries, according to medics. Police have since advised that the woman was transported to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition. She was wearing a seat belt, and her airbag was deployed.

Police say the 20-year-old Lahaina woman driving the BMW, was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center, where she also remains in critical condition. The driver of the BMW was not wearing a seat belt, according to Maui police.

No other people were people involved in the crash.

Aside from the suspicion of speed and drugs, Maui police are also investigating other potential factors. The accident remains under investigation.

(Update: 9:10 a.m.; Posted: 8:06 a.m. 2/26/12)

Two cars were involved in a head on collision which sent both drivers to the hospital at 12:50 a.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2012, one in critical condition.

First Responders say a 28-year-old female was pinned within her vehicle which required a 20 minute-long extrication using the jaws of life. She suffered left arm and leg injuries, according to officials.

The 20-year-old woman driving the other vehicle was transported to the hospital in critical condition.  She suffered pelvic and lower extremity injuries, said officials with the Maui County Paramedics Association.

Medic-4 from Lahaina and Medic-5 from Napili transported the patients to the hospital with assistance on scene from personnel with Engine-11, Engine-3, Ladder-3, and Battalion Chief-6 from the Maui Fire Department; and multiple police units.

The Honoapiilani Highway was closed between Napilihau Street and Kahana Nui Road while emergency crews responded and a police investigation was conducted.  The road was reopened at around 9:10 a.m.