MEDIA RELEASE

A 22-year-old Kurtistown man died Sunday (July 24) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Route 130 at the 4-mile marker in Kea’au.

The victim was identified as Ikeole Filoteo of a Kurtistown address.

Responding to a 3:34 a.m. call, Puna patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1999 Mazda four-door sedan and traveling south on Route 130 when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2008 Toyota two-door sedan traveling north.

Fire Department personnel took the driver of the Toyota, a 22-year-old Hilo woman, and three passengers, a 20-year-old Hilo man, a 32-year-old Hilo man and 20-year old Hilo woman, to Hilo Medical Center.

The 20-year-old man sustained critical injuries and was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for further treatment.

The other occupants received minor injuries.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:40 a.m.

It is unknown at this time if speed was involved but alcohol was a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Clarence Davies at 961-8118.

This is the 13th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 18 at this time last year.