A driver on Kapa'a Quarry Road in Kailua was killed yesterday when he became distracted by a dog in his sport utility vehicle and collided with an oncoming tanker truck, officials said.

It was one of several serious accidents on O'ahu yesterday. Earlier, two moped collisions five minutes apart sent two men to hospitals with serious injuries.

The Kailua accident was reported at 2:10 p.m. Kapa'a Quarry Road was closed for nearly five hours.

Officials said a 64-year-old Kailua man was taking a dog to a veterinary appointment when he bent over to pick up the pet. The 2005 Ford Explorer, traveling toward Kalaniana'ole Highway, crossed the center line and into the path of the asphalt tanker truck, which was traveling in the opposite direction, police said.

The crash happened about eight-tenths of a mile south of Mokapu Saddle Road.

The man's name was not immediately disclosed, pending notification of his family. The dog survived the crash. The driver of the 1997 Kenworth truck, a 40-year-old Wai'anae man, was not hurt, police said.

Police reopened Kapa'a Quarry Road at 7:03 p.m.

Speeding and alcohol were not apparent factors, police said. It was the 27th traffic death on O'ahu this year, compared with 28 at this time last year.

Two men were injured yesterday in Kaimuki and Liliha in accidents involving mopeds.

A 19-year-old man was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition after the moped he was riding was involved in a traffic accident at 7:16 a.m. at the intersection of 7th and Wai'alae avenues, said Bryan Cheplic, city Emergency Medical Services spokesman.

Five minutes later, a 46-year-old man was seriously injured in a moped accident in Liliha. That accident happened at the intersection of Liliha and North School streets. Cheplic said the man was taken in serious condition to Queen's.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.