Posted at 11:20 a.m., Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Two die in one-car crash in North Kona
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Speed and alcohol may have contributed to the 9:30 p.m. crash, said investigating police officer Bradley Freitas.
Police said the two victims and the injured man were in a four-door sedan traveling south on Mamalahoa Highway that veered off the roadway, struck a rock embankment and rolled over several times before landing on its roof.
Two passengers were ejected from the car. Firefighters rermoved the driver, who was pinned in the car.
An injured man was flown to North Hawai'i Community Hospital and was later transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
The two men were pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 1 a.m. Their names were being withheld.
The deaths increased the 2003 traffic fatality count on the Big Island to 27, compared with 19 by the same date last year.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call Freitas in Kona at 326-4277 or Sgt. Leroy Victorino in Hilo at 961-2332.
