UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (8/3/09)

An autopsy has determined that 26-year-old Christopher S. Bortz of Kurtistown died May 13 from a medical condition and not from injuries he sustained that day in a one-vehicle crash in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision.

Because the death was not the result of a traffic crash, police have reduced the number of traffic fatalities to date this year from 14 to 13.

MEDIA RELEASE (5/13/09)

A 26-year-old Kurtistown man died Wednesday (May 13) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Road 8 between roads E and F in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision in Kurtistown.

The victim was identified as Christopher S. Bortz of a Kurtistown address.

Responding to a 5:26 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2002 Toyota pick-up truck and was traveling north on Road 8 when he crossed the centerline and ran off the left side of the road and overturned.

The victim was not wearing a seatbelt and had to be extricated by Fire Department personnel.

The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 8:38 a.m.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved in this crash.

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

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.

This is the 7th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to eleven at the same time last year.