A three-vehicle collision on Hawaii Belt Road on Friday injured five people — one critically.

The collision occurred around 9:15 a.m. near Maulua Gulch along Hawaii island’s Hamakua Coast.

According to police, a 2003 Toyota pickup truck traveling south on the highway crossed the center line and sideswiped a 2008 Peterbilt tractor-trailer traveling north. The tractor-trailer itself crossed the center line and collided with a 2003 Chevrolet four-door sedan that was traveling south.

The driver of the sedan, identified as a 23-year-old Laupahoehoe man, was flown to the Queen’s 

Medical Center on Oahu in critical condition. A passenger in the sedan, a 24-year-old Laupahoehoe woman was treated for minor injuries and released.

The 40-year-old female driver of the pickup truck, the 49-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer, and an 11-year-old boy who was a passenger in the tractor trailer, were each treated and released for minor injures.

Traffic Enforcement Unit investigators have initiated a negligent injury case and are continuing the investigation. It is not yet known if speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. 

Hawaii Belt Road was closed in both directions for more than two hours. Traffic was then allowed to take turns using one lane until the road was reopened to all traffic at approximately 3:40 p.m. 

Hawaii County Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call Officer Clarence Acob at 961-2293.