MEDIA RELEASES

Updated March 24, 2009 at 5:40 p.m.

An autopsy conducted Tuesday (March 24) on 67-year-old Melvin Lumwon of Kailua-Kona determined that he died from a heart attack and not from injuries sustained in a traffic crash.

Lumwon was involved in a one-vehicle crash on Kuakini Highway fronting the old Kona Ranch house Monday night (March 23).

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Posted March 24, 2009 at 8:50 a.m.

A 67-year-old Kailua-Kona man died Monday (March 23) after being involved in a one-vehicle crash on Kuakini Highway fronting the old Kona Ranch House in Kailua-Kona.

The victim was identified as Melvin Lumwon of Kailua-Kona.

Responding to an 8:37 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2005 Nissan Frontier pickup truck and traveling south on Kuakini Highway when he crossed the centerline and collided into the rock wall in front of the old Kona Ranch House.

The victim was transported by Fire Rescue personnel to Kona Community Hospital, where he died at 9:47 p.m.

The victim was wearing a seat belt.

Police believe that the victim may have suffered from a medical condition prior to the crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police are going to wait for the results of the autopsy to see if the victim died from a medical condition or from injuries in the crash before counting this death as a traffic fatality.