MEDIA RELEASE

A 25-year-old Hawi man died Saturday (December 3) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) .4 miles north of the 8-mile marker in the North Kohala District.

The driver was identified as Reed I.S. Shiraishi of a Hawi address.

Responding to a 2:11 a.m. call, North Kohala patrol officers determined that the driver was operating a 2010 Toyota 4-door sedan and traveling north on Akoni Pule Highway when he lost control and ran off the left side of the road and down an embankment, where the vehicle rolled over several times.

The driver was wearing a seatbelt.

Police believe that speed and alcohol use were factors 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.

The driver, who was dead at the scene, was later transported to Kona Community Hospital and officially pronounced dead at 6:35 a.m.

This is the 21st traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 24 at this time last year.