MEDIA RELEASE

One 61-year-old man died in a single motor vehicle traffic crash Monday morning (August 29) in South Kona near the 85-mile marker of Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 11).

He has been identified as Brysson Lorenzo Sr. of Nāʻālehu.

Responding to a 2:57 a.m. call, police determined that Lorenzo had been operating a 1994 Kenworth tractor-trailer northbound on Hawaiʻi Belt Road near the 85-mile marker when he ran off the right shoulder of the roadway and collided with a rock embankment. The collision caused the tractor-trailer to overturn onto its left side and catch fire. Lorenzo was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:40 a.m.

Police do not believe speed was a factor in this crash and it is not immediately known if alcohol was a factor.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, extension 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

This is the 17th traffic fatality this year compared with 15 at this time last year.