OLOWALU - Three people escaped without serious injury from a fiery early-morning crash Thursday that destroyed a car on Honoapiilani Highway in Olowalu, police said.
Police are investigating speed and alcohol as factors in the crash, which occurred near Olowalu Store.
The black 2001 Acura was engulfed in flames and was up against a guardrail on the mauka shoulder of the road when Lahaina patrol officers responded to the 12:44 a.m. crash.
The three occupants - a 20-year-old Kahului man and two 18-year-old Lahaina women who were his passengers - were out of the vehicle when police arrived.
Medics treated the three occupants at the scene for what were described initially as minor injuries before taking them to Maui Memorial Medical Center for further treatment and observation, police said.
By Thursday afternoon, one woman had been discharged from the hospital. There was no record indicating the other two had been admitted.
"They're lucky to be alive," said Capt. Charles Hirata, commander of the Lahaina Patrol District. "This could have been very, very tragic.
"Hopefully, people think about their driving behaviors out there and play it safe."
Lahaina firefighters responded to extinguish the fire, which gutted the car. State highways officials estimated it would cost at least $10,000 to replace the damaged guardrail, which was in an area where guardrail work recently had been completed.
