Posted at 11:16 a.m., Monday, September 11, 2006
Man dies from injuries suffered in Big Island crash
Advertiser Staff
A 68-year-old Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man who was riding in a truck that crashed on Saturday died of his injuries yesterday.The unidentified man was in a 1979 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 64-year-old Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man when it ran off the right side of Hawaii Belt Road .1 mile south of the 54-mile marker in Ka'u, Big Island police said.
The truck then struck a culvert and oveturned, partially ejecting the 68-year-old passenger. The truck apparently had no seat belts, police said.
Police responded at 11:25 a.m. and fire rescue personnel took both the driver and passenger to Ka'u Hospital. The driver was treated and released.
The passenger was later transferred to Kona Community Hospital, where he died at 3:46 a.m. yesterday.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Police said speed and alcohol don't appear to be factors in the crash.
Police ask anyone with information to call Officer Sharlotte Bird at 326-4646, extension 229.
The case is the 27th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 24 at the same time last year.
