MEDIA RELEASE

An 80-year-old Keaau man died Saturday (Dec. 11) after being involved in a one-vehicle crash at the Pohoiki Boat Ramp in the Puna District.

The victim was identified as Stuart H. Jones of a Keaau address.

Responding to a 1:17 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined the victim was operating a 2003 Mazda pickup truck and traveling south on Route 137 (Kalapana-Kapoho Road) when he drove down the Pohoiki Boat ramp into the water.

Bystanders were able to get the driver out of the vehicle and started CPR until police and fire department personnel arrived but he could not be revived.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved and speed was not a factor in this crash.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:50 a.m.

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

This is the 25th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 22 at this time last year.