MEDIA RELEASE
A 36-year-old HÅnaunau man was killed Monday (June 27) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash at Keahole International Airport in Kailua-Kona.
The victim was identified as Newton K. Leslie of a Honaunau address.
Responding to an 11:35 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2001 Sterling water tanker and traveling north on Perimeter Road when he lost control on a curve in the roadway and overturned.
The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt was partially ejected from the passenger door window and was pinned under the vehicle.
The tanker had a full load of water and belonged to a local construction company that is doing work at the airport.
The victim was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:01 p.m.
Police believe that speed was a factor 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.
Being that this death occurred within Keahole International Airport on a road not open to the public, it is not counted toward the official traffic fatality count.
How do they know he didn’t have problems with the brakes, took his belt off as he tried to escape from the truck? You guys make it sound like he didn’t have his belt on and was speeding!!!
Why post this kind of info prematurely????? The investigation is only starting, and you add to the Families sorrow.
My sincere condolence to the Leslie family.
Aloha!