MEDIA RELEASE

A 39-year-old Kurtistown man died Thursday (August 2) from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Highway 11 midway between the 48- and 49-mile markers.

Responding to a 12:43 a.m. call, Kaʻu patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1987 Ford sedan and traveling southbound on Highway 11 when he ran off the left side of the road, lost control and overturned.

The victim was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.

He was taken to Kona Community Hospital and pronounced dead at 6:19 a.m.

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

The name of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification.

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

Police ask that anyone with information about this traffic crash call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 22nd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 15 at this time last year.