A 24-year-old Kapa'a man was killed and eight people injured Wednesday night in a three-vehicle collision on Kaua'i.

James Piekos of Wailua Homesteads was pronounced dead at Wilcox Hospital.

Piekos was driving east on Kuamo'o Road when he overtook a sedan at a blind corner, crossing double-solid lines into oncoming traffic. His vehicle collided with a westbound Ford sport utility vehicle at 9:19 p.m.

The SUV driver suffered substantial injuries, police said, while five others in the truck were treated for minor injuries. Two people in the sedan which was overtaken by Piekos were treated for minor injuries at Wilcox Hospital.

Kuamo'o Road was closed for about 3 1/2 hours after the accident.

Piekos' death is Kaua'i's eighth traffic fatality of 2008.

SUSPECT CHARGED IN MA'ILI BEATING

A 21-year-old man was charged Wednesday with first-degree assault in connection with critical injuries suffered by another man in a fight Monday night in Ma'ili.

Steven Smith was arrested at his Palakamana Street home in Ma'ili on Monday at 9:35 p.m., 90 minutes after a 31-year-old man was found lying unconscious on the ground. Smith, who has four prior convictions, is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

FEWER JULY 4 FIRES IN MAUI COUNTY

Maui County reported a 72 percent decrease in fireworks-related fires over the July 4 weekend.

Fire Capt. Val Martin said only five of 85 calls this year were related to fireworks, compared to 18 fireworks-related fires out of 95 alarms in 2007.

"I'm pleased the weather cooperated with light winds this year, and that the two public fireworks displays in Lahaina and on Lana'i went off without a hitch," said Martin, the county's assistant fire marshal.

"I hope everyone can continue to exercise caution in the coming New Year's celebrations by enjoying fireworks responsibly," he said.

IMPAIRED DRIVER GETS 10-YEAR TERM

A 29-year-old Kaua'i man who crashed a car into a Kapa'a home last year while under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamines has been sentenced to 10 years in prison,

Christopher Almeida, 29, was also ordered by Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe on Wednesday to pay $6,805 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. Almeida was convicted of first-degree criminal property damage, auto theft, and operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.

On June 24, 2007, while being pursued by police on Kawaihau Road, Almeida crashed a Ford Mustang into a house, causing injury to a resident.

His criminal record includes 17 prior convictions.

LIFEGUARD ON DUTY AT KE'E BEACH

Kaua'i County continued its efforts to safeguard its beaches by bringing lifeguard service to Ke'e Beach in Ha'ena on the north shore.

Kaua'i has increased the number of guarded beaches to 10 with Ke'e. There are two towers at Ha'ena Beach while lifeguards also are posted at Anahola, Hanalei, Kealia, Kekaha, Lydgate, Po'ipu and Salt Pond.

A tower for Ke'e Beach is on-order and expected to be delivered next year, officials said. During the interim, Ke'e lifeguards are working out of an Ocean Safety Bureau truck and tent while arrangements are being made for a temporary tower to be installed at the site.

The county has 43 lifeguards and the Ocean Safety Bureau has been re-structured into three districts — north, east, and southwest — each with a supervisor. The bureau's expansion also includes a training officer and the promotion of Kalani Vierra to water safety supervising officer.

TAVARES HEADED TO WASHINGTON

Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares leaves tomorrow for Washington, D.C., for two days of meetings with members of Congress and senior officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resource Conservation Service.

Tavares plans to discuss funding for the county's bus system, which saw a 68 percent increase in ridership last year, with transportation officials. She also plans to request support from the Resource Conservation Service on the proposed 300 million-gallon Upcountry raw water storage reservoir.

Tavares also plans to talk with members of Hawai'i's congressional delegation about water, transportation and renewable energy issues pertinent to Maui County.