UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE FROM POLICE (7/13/09)

A 24-year-old Kea’au man died Sunday (July 12) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) .2 miles west of the 51-mile marker in the Hāmākua District.

The victim was identified as Albert I. Laurdin, of a Kea’au address.

Responding to a 5:10 a.m. call, Hāmākua patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2001 Nissan multi-purpose vehicle and traveling west on the highway when he ran off the right side of the road and overturned.

A passenger in the vehicle, a 22-year-old Honoka’a man was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was listed in satisfactory condition.

Both occupants were not wearing their seat belts and were ejected from the vehicle.

Police believe that speed and alcohol were factors in 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 ask anyone with information about this case to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.

This is the 13th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 14 at this time last year.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM FIRE DEPT POSTED (7/12/09)

Fire/Rescue crews responded to a 5:26 a.m. alarm Sunday (July 12) for a single vehicle accident on Highway 19 near the west side of Waimea Country Club golf course. Upon arrival crews found a vehicle about 40 yards from the highway with extensive damage due to rolling over several times.

Two occupants were ejected from the vehicle during the accident. One was found dead about 30 feet from the vehicle and the other person was found with injuries 20 feet from the vehicle. The injured person was was taken by a medic unit to North Hawaii Community Hospital.

There were no roadblocks due to the accident scene and the case is under investigation.