Posted on: Friday, May 20, 2005

Moped fatality investigated as possible murder

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police have launched a murder investigation into the death of a Kona man who died May 2 in what authorities initially believed was a moped crash.

Police did not provide details yesterday on how they determined that the death of Andrew Powers, 41, was a homicide.

Investigators initially said Powers, of Holualoa, was riding a Hyosung moped east on the Honokohau Boat Ramp Road shortly before 11:26 p.m. May 1 when he lost control, fell over and hit his head on the pavement. He died May 2 in the hospital.

At the time, police said Powers was not wearing a helmet and that alcohol was involved.

Anyone with information on the case should call detective Gary Souther at (808) 326-4646, ext. 275, the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or (808) 329-8181 in Kona.