From Hawaii Police Department:
A 21-year-old Kealakekua man died Thursday (August 2) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/moped crash at the intersection of Kealakehe Parkway and Ane Keahokalole Highway on Wednesday (August 1).
Responding to a 7:58 p.m. call Monday, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1995 Honda station wagon and traveling eastbound on Kealakehe Parkway when he rear-ended a moped at the intersection of Ane Keahokalole Highway. He swerved to the right and struck a fire hydrant, light pole and sign and then overturned.
The victim was not wearing a seat belt.
The victim and the moped operator were both taken to Kona Community Hospital. The moped operator was treated for his injuries and released. The operator of the station wagon was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, where he died Thursday at at 4:10 a.m.
Alcohol was a factor in this crash. At this time, it is unknown if speed was a factor.
The name of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask that anyone with information about this crash call Officer Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, extension 229.
This is the 23rd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 15 at this time last year
