MEDIA RELEASE

Police closed a portion of Queen Kaahumanu Highway Wednesday (Feb. 5) between Puako Beach Drive and the entrance to the Mauna Lani Resort while officers investigated a fatal traffic collision just south of Puako Beach Drive.

At approximately 11:25 a.m., officers responded to the collision and learned a 52-year-old man was traveling south in a 1997 Ford F-250 pickup truck when he reportedly crossed the centerline and struck a 2013 Dodge Dart traveling in the opposite direction being driven by a 62-year-old man visiting from Canada.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the truck, was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Neither the driver of the other vehicle nor his three passengers were injured.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., one lane of traffic was reopened on the highway. The other lane remained closed until 2:30 p.m.

Police have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation, which is being continued by the Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit.